Developments
Last updated on: 17/03/2008
Functional skills evaluation programme
The three-year functional skills pilot programme has been established to provide crucial information on the most appropriate methods for delivering functional skills to the full range of learners.
An experienced evaluation agency, the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER), has been commissioned by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) to review all aspects of the functional skills qualifications and their assessment, including validity, manageability, delivery, achievement and the impact on related qualifications.
This comprehensive evaluation programme, which will report in six-monthly cycles, has been established to ensure that the functional skills qualifications and their assessments support effective delivery of skills for all young people and adults. QCA will conduct an overarching analysis of the pilot programme, in collaboration with the evaluating agency, the pilot awarding bodies and partner agencies, to provide authoritative recommendations on the full functional skills qualifications that commence in September 2010, and to inform related programmes of qualification reform where necessary.
The functional skills evaluation will:
- present key project outcomes, including outcomes from the awarding bodies' pilots
- make recommendations on the full implementation of functional skills
- identify requirements for the qualifications, assessment, curriculum, stakeholder impact, regulatory arrangements and accessibility
- identify and implement mechanisms and processes with which to engage stakeholders, including piloting awarding bodies
- take into account outcomes from related evaluations (eg mathematics pathway evaluation; workforce development evaluation)
- inform and guide the implementation of functional skills (risks and benefits)
- inform relevant guidance, training and support materials.