Functional Skills Update(England) :Functional Skills Update(England) June 2007


Can you answer these questions? :2 Can you answer these questions? A coat costs £80 The coat is in a sale with 25% off What is the new cost of the coat? In the following sentence which word is spelt incorrectly? ‘be careful, the kettel is hot.’


What are Functional Skills? :3 What are Functional Skills? A key initiative in both the 14-19 White Paper and the second Skills White Paper, in response to pressure from employers A set of standards that establish a benchmark of ‘mastery’ in English, maths and ICT that all learners should achieve Available from Entry 1 to Level 2


Qualification development and reform :4 Qualification development and reform Functional skills are part of an extensive educational reform programme which includes the following: Diplomas Foundation Learning Tier (FLT) Existing 14 – 19 qualifications Key Stage 3 revision Modernisation of the exam process Vocational qualifications reform The aim is for a more rationalised curriculum offering learners stimulating qualifications with appropriate, when ready assessment.


How the standards will be used :5 How the standards will be used replace existing key and basic skills with new stand-alone qualifications, suitable for both young people and adults link to GCSEs in maths, English and ICT so that no one can achieve an A*-C without achieving the functional element represent an efficient way of assessing learners in the skills they need for work and life; eventually to be available on-demand form part of the Diplomas and apprenticeships link to vocational programmes


Current position :6 Current position Final decisions on assessment of functional skills still being made at QCA Finalised standards now available National pilots will commence in September 2007 Approx 1000 centres will take part in the pilots Each awarding body will be offering different functional skills qualifications to ensure that there is coverage across levels and subjects Stand-alone qualifications initially will be set and marked by awarding bodies


Unit titles :7 Unit titles English Speaking and listening Reading Writing Maths Making sense of situations and representing them Processing and analysing the mathematics Interpreting and communicating the results of analysis ICT Use ICT systems Find, select and communicate information Develop and present information


Progression :8 Progression It is hoped that: Learners will progress from an initial level at pre-16 (at Entry, Level 1 or 2). Level 2 remains the target achievement for all learners 14-19 Note that the Leitch ‘adult’ target for FS is Entry 3 for maths and Level 1 for English Progression above that level will be seen as desirable GLH of around 50 (still under review)


Time line :9 Time line April 2007: Edexcel start collecting expressions of interest from interested centres May 2007: awarding bodies receive finalised standards and assessment design information from QCA June 2007: successful pilot centres notified Sept 2007: first teaching for stand alone pilots and GCSE English pilot June 2008: first assessment opportunity Sept 2008: functional skills will be included in the Diplomas Sept 2010 functional skills for maths, English and ICT as a hurdle to achieving GCSE grade C 2010 phasing out of existing key skills and adult literacy and numeracy qualifications commences


Who can pilot? :10 Who can pilot? From September 2007: Successful Diploma Gateway centres who have been nominated to run Functional Skills pilots – about 800 centres 200 ‘other’ centres; likely to be post 16 or ‘adult’ from the full range of sectors GCSE English with functional English Pilot from September 2007 Selected number of centres on the BTEC Select Programme (email projectpilot@edexcel.org.uk to register interest) For further details, please see the functional skills website: http://developments.edexcel.org.uk/fs/ These ‘1,000’ centres are across all nine awarding bodies/awarding body consortia involved in the pilots QCA suggests 20-30 learners per centre so 20,000-30,000 learners might be expected in 2007-8 From September 2008 onwards: Opportunities for other pilot centres likely (especially from 2008); still in discussion with the regulator


What about centres not selected to pilot from September 2007? :11 What about centres not selected to pilot from September 2007? We will be keeping you updated about ways to be involved via our website and email updates There may be opportunities to get involved with pilot training from September 2007 Committed to supporting centres offering Adult Literacy and Numeracy as preparation for functional skills Anticipated that we can expand the pilots for 2008 and 2009


Assessment :12 Assessment Over-riding principles of assessment are that FS should be: to eventually be available on-demand easy to administer/manageable prove ability cover the standards cost effective Credible to key stakeholders, particularly universities and employers and The assessment method does not need to follow the same model for all levels, all subjects


National benchmarks and targets for functional skills :13 National benchmarks and targets for functional skills 14-19 Level 2 in English, maths and ICT Adults (Leitch agenda) Level 1 English Entry 3 maths ICT – no target


Possible models of assessment for the pilot phase :14 Possible models of assessment for the pilot phase Model 1. Functional skills as a stand alone qualification Model 2. Functional skills as a unit within the GCSE which does not contribute to the GCSE grade. This unit will also be used to certificate as a stand alone qualification Model 3. As model 2, but the marks from the FS contribute to the GCSE grade


Which stand alone qualifications will Edexcel be offering? :15 Which stand alone qualifications will Edexcel be offering? Level 1 & 2 in maths, English and ICT Will be either 1 test or 1 set of tasks per qualification (except English with a speaking and listening component) Tests likely to be 60-90 mins long Tasks could be longer but will be done in one ‘sitting’ Everything will be marked by Edexcel, there will be no internal assessment and no portfolio No information about planned assessment models available yet until QCA ratify our plans Entry level planned for 2008


What about GCSEs? :16 What about GCSEs? Edexcel is piloting GCSE English (with functional English) Level 1 & 2 functional skills will be nested as a unit within the qualification Centres will be able to see how the hurdle will work for their learners prior to it being activated for the C grade We are keeping an eye on developments in maths and ICT and preparing the new GCSEs for 2010


Information expected soon…. :17 Information expected soon…. What exactly is meant by ‘mastery’? It’s likely to be a percentage pass rate but we don’t know how high yet How will the functional skills be funded and attributed to the attainment tables? If load banded, funding will remain for adults The proportion that functional skills hurdle will make up of the GCSE? - 50% is suggested How many and which centres will be in our pilot?


What is Edexcel doing? :18 What is Edexcel doing? Supporting centres with ALAN qualifications Working with Local Authorities and centres to look at models of delivery and assessment Preparing case studies and supporting materials to share best practice Disseminating information, as available (website, Insights, email updates)


How can centres prepare? :19 How can centres prepare? Work in and extend partnership and collaboration with LA, consortium partners, employers where appropriate. Be pro-active. Audit readiness. Build capacity Start to engage key stakeholders i.e. SMT, colleagues, learners, parents, employers etc Plan access and progression, harness strengths, seek out resources and support i.e. NSS, QIA, AB, DfES etc. Utilise network opportunities & share good practice Deliver ALAN as part of the GCSE Consider embedding key skills delivery and assessment as part of vocational programmes


Prepare staff :20 Prepare staff Use training opportunities to support CPD for staff to think through how they might deliver functional skills Use of Results Plus Analysis and Results Plus Skills to raise current achievement and prepare for future success Use ALAN to prepare for on-demand assessment


Expression of Interest :21 Expression of Interest Centres are still able to express interest in the Edexcel functional skills pilots, both: Stand alone functional skills and GCSE English (with functional English) See the expression of interest pages on the Edexcel functional skills website for further details: http://developments.edexcel.org.uk/fs/interest/


How do I keep updated? :22 How do I keep updated? Visit the Edexcel functional skills web site http://developments.edexcel.org.uk/fs/ Register with Edexcel Policy Watch mailing list and email alerts Look on the QCA functional skills website www.qca.org.uk/15891.html Look on the QIA website Contact your Edexcel regional office or curriculum development manager (if known)