Functional Skills. June Real world skills, real - world benefits

Transcription

1 Functional Skills June 2010 Real world skills, real - world benefits

2 What functional skills mean for your school/college and students The aim of introducing functional skills across England from Key Stage 3 upwards is to raise the standards and aspirations of every learner. This advances the vision of radical reform for children, young people and families set out in the Every Child Matters programme. The programme defines five outcomes: be healthy; stay safe; enjoy and achieve; make a positive contribution; and achieve economic well-being. Functional skills addresses the three latter outcomes specifically. Real-world skills, real-world benefits

3 Some powerful reasons for offering functional skills They offer an extra half-gcse equivalent, which you re already teaching Your students can demonstrate extra attainment Invaluable life-long skills backed by further education institutions and employers And, with Edexcel, they re easier to deliver because of the extraordinary level of support and experience we re able to offer

4 Extra points for the learner and your centre Level Points Entry 1 5 Entry 2 6 Entry 3 7 Level Level 2 23

5 some more of the very good reasons for choosing Edexcel for functional skills We ve run the biggest pilot over three years We are the most experienced We deliver the highest-quality support We offer optimum assessment opportunities We offer specialised help to get your school/college started

6 What students are already gaining from our functional skills qualifications Effective communication skills Improved problem solving Enhanced presentation skills Better time management Greater perseverance Improved confidence and ability to work independently

7 Successful implementation lessons from the pilot We ve learnt from our pilot that functional skills work most effectively to enhance learning and progress when they are: the responsibility of all teachers and not just those in English, mathematics and ICT an integral, but explicit, feature of the curriculum and linked to personal, learning and thinking skills used to solve problems in realistic, purposeful and relevant contexts transferred and applied across the curriculum and to life, work and learning beyond school

8 Where do functional skills fit? Replace ALAN Key Features KS3/KS4 National Curriculum Replace Key Skills Apprenticeships Foundation Learning Diploma

9 Functional skills in Diplomas To gain a Diploma, students must pass all three assessments in English, mathematics and ICT at the level of the Diploma they are taking, i.e. Level 1 functional skills for Foundation Diploma and Level 2 functional skills for Higher and Advanced Diplomas.

10 Performance Criteria Functional English (E1-L2) Functional Mathematics (E1-L2) Functional ICT (E1-L2) Speaking and listening Representing Use of ICT Reading Analysing Finding & selecting Writing Interpreting Developing & Presenting

11 Edexcel Assessment Models (Level 1 & 2) Overview ICT 1 external test per level Maths 1 external test per level English 3 separate assessments per level: Reading (external) Writing (external) Speaking, Listening and Communicating (internal)

12 Functional Mathematics - Overview Assessed in three skill areas using a range of contexts: Solving problems Processing calculations Interpreting and explaining situations Separate tests for Level 1 and 2 Single paper test for each level Externally marked by Edexcel

13 Functional Mathematics - Assessment 3 themed sections per paper Assessment Level of reading below assessment level Designed for Onscreen assessment Language simple and direct

14 Functional English: Overview 1 Reading and writing are assessed as separate components 2 SLC is internally assessed and externally moderated 3 Realistic contexts are required 4 Opportunity to Link with GCSE English

15 SLC Component Learners should be able to: Present information / points of view clearly and in appropriate language Listen to information and give relevant, cogent response in appropriate language Make relevant contributions to discussions, responding appropriately to others in formal and informal exchanges and discussions

16 Reading Component Learners should be able to: Identify the main points and ideas and how they are presented in different texts Understand texts in detail Read and understand texts and take appropriate action Select and use different types of text to obtain relevant information Read and actively respond to different texts (for example, reply to each point in a letter of complaint) in a range of texts including reports, instructional, explanatory and persuasive texts, on paper and on screen

17 Writing Component Learners should be able to: Write clearly and coherently including and appropriate level of detail Present information in a logical sequence Use language, format and structure suitable for purpose and audience Use correct grammar and correct and consistent use of tense Ensure written work has accurate grammar, punctuation and spelling and that meaning is clear in a range of documents on paper and on screen

18 Functional Skills ICT Overview Each paper comprises three tasks Tasks and mark allocations may vary each year but in every case there will be an ICT-based problem in a real-life context The tasks allow learners to be assessed on the three areas of standards: Use ICT systems Find and select information Develop, present and communicate information

19 Some examples of the ICT tasks set for assessments: Some examples of the tasks set for previous series: Letter Flyer Spreadsheet in data view Spreadsheet in formula view Chart or Graph Poster Newsletter Presentation slides

20 Assessment Opportunities for 2010 Level 1 and Level 2 All subjects: Edexcel will offer 8 assessment opportunities in English and maths and 4 in ICT. We are working towards an on screen on demand model for 2011 For all subjects there is a 5 day window to facilitate large cohorts Level 1 & 2 are externally marked by Edexcel (except English speaking, listening and communication)

21 Edexcel Assessment Models (Entry Level) Overview ICT 1 internal test per level Maths 1 internal test per level English 3 separate internal assessments per level: Reading Writing Speaking, Listening and Communicating

22 Objectives for our Centres Offer more attractive FS proposition than our competitors through flexible, accessible specs and effective contextualised teaching and learning support Help our existing centres migrate from Key Skills and ALAN with clear communications supporting transition in teaching, support and ease of entry and turnaround of results

23 Support for Functional Skills Portfolio of materials and resources for guidance and support including: Curriculum modelling as stand alone and with other subjects Examples, content exemplification and case studies Practice assessment materials & teacher guidance Online teaching and learning resources/ Textbooks and initial assessment tool Dedicated Support team contactable by phone or Free training and briefings both face to face and on line Termly newsletter and updates alerts Ask the expert and FAQs Free web based analysis - Results Plus (some restrictions)

24 Resources Published resources will be available in hard copy from late spring 2010 for all subjects and all levels For teachers For learners Free resources for level 1 & 2 Maths/English/ICT can be downloaded from our website

25 Our published resources for functional skills Resources for functional skills English and mathematics include: two Student Books, at Level 1 and Level 2 two Teacher Guides, matched to each Student Book ActiveTeach CD-ROMs for mathematics, include a wide range of digital resources enriched with video clips content written by expert author teams, including senior examiners and experienced teachers advice, built upon the strength of the Edexcel pilot

26 Request an evaluation pack You can request a FREE evaluation pack, for functional skills in English and mathematics containing a copy of the Level 2 Student Book and sample material from the other components. Complete and return our Intention to Offer form to request your copy, or go to Terms and conditions: one free evaluation pack per subject for each customer. This evaluation pack is available free of charge until 31st July 2010, and will be charged at 9.99 per copy thereafter

27 ResultsPlus What is it? The most compelling results analysis service ever seen Puts real tools for raising attainment into the hands of teachers How does it work? Who is it for? Question-by-question, ResultsPlus helps teachers understand trends in performance Skills Maps, available for GCSE Maths and GCSE Science, show areas of the specification where performed was poor, average, or strong ResultsPlus presents information at individual, group (class), or cohort (school) level One click reports generate valuable comparative information that schools need for the senior management team and Governors Available for teaching staff at all schools and colleges to use

28 Further Support Online training events Dedicated support teams Free online resources Ask the Expert Results Plus

29 Any Questions?