Functional Skills Update

1. Functional Skills Update March 2007

2. 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.�

3. 3 Background Pressure from employers to ensure that both young people and adults are able to fully function in English, maths and ICT basic skills has led to the functionality agenda being a key initiative in both the 14-19 Education and Skills White paper and the second Skills White Paper

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

5. 5 What are functional skills? The basic premise on which FS were written is that learners need to be able to function in literacy, numeracy and ICT in order to be successful in their personal and working lives. Those core elements of English, maths and ICT provide an individual with the essential knowledge, skills and understanding that will enable them to operate confidently, effectively and independently in life and at work.

6. 6 And so� Functional skills will: replace existing key and basic skills with a new qualification, 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, which can be taken on demand form part of the specialised Diplomas and apprenticeships be stand alone qualifications link to vocational programmes

7. 7 Standards Draft standards for the qualifications are available Standards can be viewed on QCA website Available from Entry 1 to Level 2. Standards mapped to the National Curriculum All qualifications for functional skills will be based on these standards, which are expected to be revised as we pilot

8. 8 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

9. 9 Assessment Over-riding principles of assessment are that FS must: Be available on-demand Be easy to administer Prove ability Cover the standards Cost effective and The assessment method does not need to follow the same model for all levels, all subjects

10. 10 Proposed models of assessment for the pilot phase Model 1. Functional skills as a stand alone qualification Model 2. Functional skills as a paper within the GCSE which does not contribute to the GCSE grade. This paper can 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 Model 4. Functional skills embedded within the GCSE

11. 11 Edexcel�s assessment model Edexcel is recommending the piloting of an e-assessment solution The results of the trials will be reported to QCA in March Qualifications will be developed during the summer First delivery of pilot phase functional skills in September First assessment of pilot phase functional skills from spring 2008 Other ABs have trialled and are expected to pilot alternative assessment methods

12. 12 Feedback from the trials Issues with alternative methods of assessment from each AB Capacity building for e-assessment Extra burden of assessment (for schools in particular) Lack of clarity on the assessment methods and models Differing needs for each subject Pressure for achievement can conflict with ongoing development How the qualifications will be viewed by other influential stakeholders (universities, employers etc)

13. 13 Who can pilot? It is anticipated that all those in consortia that go through the Gateway will be invited to pilot functional skills We anticipate that 100 LAs will be successful in getting through the Gateway There will be other centres invited to take part in the pilots (from FE, adult learning etc) The pilot will focus on stand alone assessment and there are likely to be pilots for GCSE with FS

14. 14 How does this fit with other qualifications? GCSEs will be redesigned to fit with FS (English and ICT from 2009 and maths from 2010) Specialist Diplomas will incorporate teaching and learning of functional skills BTEC will continue to be offered alongside FS

15. 15 What is Edexcel doing? Developing a new computer based testing platform to enhance centre capability Supporting centres with ALAN qualifications Working with LAs 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 magazine)

16. 16 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

17. 17 Prepare staff Use training opportunities to support CPD for staff to think through the issues of how they will 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

18. 18 Time line Sept 2007 Three year pilots of functional English and ICT in GCSE and other contexts including stand alone. Sept 2008 Piloting of functional English, maths and ICT qualifications as part of first five Diploma lines Sept 2010 Functional maths, English, ICT and reformed GCSEs available Phasing out of existing key skills and Adult Literacy and Numeracy qualifications August 2012 First GCSE results for maths, English and ICT with GCSE

19. 19 How do I keep updated? Visit the Edexcel functional skills web pages edexcel.org.uk/functional-skills Register for Edexcel Policy Watch mailing list and email alert Look on the QCA functional skills website www.qca.org.uk/15891.html Look on the QIA website Contact your RDM a.org.uk

20. 20 What is ResultsPlus? ResultsPlus is a�new suite of services from Edexcel.� � Focused on raising attainment and delivering personalised learning.� It will provide powerful, logical reports and graphics; giving centres an unprecedented level of information about their performance including: Detailed analysis of performance by question Grade overview reports to track & plan improvement Grade comparisons historically & against national averages Skills map of strengths and weaknesses Individual student reports - for personal improvement plans Group reports - help identify departmental targets Access to exam paper Comparison of school and national data In 2007, all Edexcel GCE and GCSE centres will have free access to the ResultsPlus Analysis service. ��

21. 21 The Suite of Services ResultsPlus Analysis will provide head teachers with clear information on performance in all Edexcel GCEs and GCSEs. It will generate simple reports that compare results against the national average and other types of centre.��� ResultsPlus Analysis will show how students have performed in each subject, providing question-by-question level detail at both cohort and individual student level. ResultsPlus Skills (GCSE Maths & Science) generates skills maps. Reveals how students (both cohort or individually) have performed according to the area of knowledge being tested.� This detailed information about students� strengths and weaknesses, ResultsPlus Skills will enable teachers to provide a personalised learning environment.�� In addition, Edexcel is offering all GCE and GCSE students the opportunity to receive detailed results information directly.� The online results service � which centres may chose to opt-in to � is called ResultsPlus Direct.� �� 

22. 22 This means� As a school, you can: see at a glance how your students performed across all their Edexcel GCEs or GCSEs track and compare performance year-by-year compare performance by gender or see how you fared against other schools of your type identify where individual teaching strengths lie and share techniques of best practice As a department, you can: see the overall grade performance in your subject compare grade performance for different classes and groups analyse how your cohort did on each question, and make comparisons with national average scores

23. 23 This means� As a teacher, you can: analyse how a class or a student did on each question compare performance on each question with other groups and with national averages download scores as a spreadsheet for further analysis And in GCSE Maths and Science, Skills Maps that link question performance to areas of the curriculum, making it easier for you to plan for improvement and raise attainment. Also ResultsPlus Progress: Key Stage 3 Mathematics, Year 7 Entry Test & End of Year 7 option test Key Stage 4 Topic tests to diagnose strengths & weaknesses before major examinations Online (TBC) - with automated marking and detailed analysis Skills map reports help teachers to adapt SoW and revision plans

24. 24 Impact of ResultsPlus The impact on achievement engage students in how to improve grades in key subjects help increase D/C grade achievement provide early management data for analysis The impact on participation encourage greater student ownership of their own achievement & learning increase greater participation of students learning to increase achievement greater personalisation and assessment for learning through the individual skills maps direct to the student The impact on teaching & learning provide valuable analysis of individual strengths & weaknesses of individuals/classes/cohorts Identify where teaching strengths lie and areas for improvement to develop to enhance attainment

25. 25 What do our customers say?

26. 26 Next Steps Attend a Senior Manager Briefing to hear more about the ResultsPlus See attached flyer Visit the website: www.edexcel.org.uk/resultsplus Contact Claire Graham Email: claire.graham@edexcel.org.uk Tel: 01246 823191 Regional Office: 0121 616 2576