The aim of introducing functional skills across England from. Key Stage 3 ... And,
with Edexcel, they're easier to deliver because of the extraordinary level of ...
Functional Skills June 2010
‘Real – world skills, real - world benefits’
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
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
Extra points for the learner and your centre Level
Points
Entry 1
5
Entry 2
6
Entry 3
7
Level 1
12.5
Level 2
23
…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
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
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
Where do functional skills fit?
Key Features KS3/KS4 National Curriculum
Replace ALAN
Replace Key Skills
Apprenticeships
Foundation Learning
Diploma
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.
Performance Criteria
Functional English (E1-L2)
Functional Mathematics Functional ICT (E1-L2) (E1-L2)
Speaking and listening
Representing
Use of ICT
Reading
Analysing
Finding & selecting
Writing
Interpreting
Developing & Presenting
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)
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
Functional Mathematics - Assessment
Assessment 3 themed sections per paper
Level of reading below assessment level
Designed for Onscreen assessment
Language simple and direct
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
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
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
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)
Read and understand texts and take appropriate action
…in a range of texts including reports, instructional, explanatory and persuasive texts, on paper and on screen
Writing Component Learners should be able to:
Write clearly and coherently including and appropriate level of detail
Present information in a logical sequence
Use correct grammar and correct and consistent use of tense
Ensure written work has accurate grammar, punctuation and spelling and that meaning is clear
Use language, format and structure suitable for purpose and audience
…in a range of documents on paper and on screen
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
Some examples of the ICT tasks set for assessments: Some examples of the tasks set for previous series: Letter
Chart or Graph
Flyer
Poster
Spreadsheet in data view
Newsletter
Spreadsheet in formula view
Presentation slides
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)
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
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
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
Dedicated Support team contactable by phone or email
Free training and briefings both face to face and on line
Practice assessment materials & teacher guidance
Termly newsletter and email updates
Online teaching and learning resources/ Textbooks and initial assessment tool
Email alerts Ask the expert and FAQs
Free web based analysis - Results Plus (some restrictions)
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
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
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 www.pearsonschools.co.uk/edexcelfs 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
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
Further Support • Online training events www.edexcel.com/quals/func-skills/Pages/training.aspx • Dedicated support teams
[email protected] - 0844 576 0028 • Free online resources www.edexcel.com/quals/func-skills/Pages/default.aspx • Ask the Expert www.edexcel.com/quals/func-kills/Pages/Askaquestion.asp • Results Plus www.edexcel.com/resultsplus/Pages/home.aspx
Any Questions?
