ASDAN Functional Skills Pilot 2007-10
ASDAN is pleased to have been one of the 13 Awarding Bodies that trialled Functional Skills in a small number of centres in early 2007. As a result of the trial, we were invited to pilot the Functional Skills for three years, starting in September 2007.
We are now in Year 3 of the pilot, with more than 200 centres actively involved, with three assessment opportunities (January, March and June) and a planned programme of regionally-based support. The centres involved include schools, special schools, PRUs, sixth form colleges (with assessment for Diploma learners and centres offering Foundation Learning), Adult and Community Learning centres, FE colleges, work-based training providers and custodial centres.
The pilot includes the assessment of Functional Skills in English, Mathematics and ICT at all levels (Entry 1, Entry 2, Entry 3, Level 1 and Level 2).
UCAS Points are available in 2010 for those completing Level 2 Functional Skills. 10 UCAS points are available for each skill achieved at Level 2.
Important announcement
After much careful consideration and discussion at ASDAN, we have decided not to proceed with the submission of Functional Skills qualifications for accreditation. This means that ASDAN will not be offering Functional Skills qualifications for the planned 'roll-out' from September 2010. Click this link for an explanation of the reasons for this decision.
We are committed to completing year three of the pilot and to providing full support to pilot centres, offering three assessment opportunities (January, March and June 2010) for English, Mathematics and ICT at all levels from Entry 1 to Level 2 as planned. Download this document for advice to pilot centres.
Further information and links
If you would like further information about Functional Skills developments nationally you can access the following web sites:
Functional Skills Support Programme
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)
Ofsted
SfL Improvement Programme
14-19 Workforce Support Programme
Diploma Support Programme
Foundation Learning Support Programme
ASDAN will be developing on-screen assessments as well as a paper-based approach.
Functional Skills Bulletin Edition 11 (previous editions: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3)
Functional Skills Pilot Centre update - this update has been written by Tribal, the independent evaluator of the functional skills pilot
Functional Skills Support Programme
Please download the following documents for more details on the Functional Skills Support Programme (FSSP):
How Functional Skills will work with ASDAN
ASDAN is currently an Awarding Body for both Key Skills and Adult Literacy and Numeracy qualifications. ASDAN also has its own suite of qualifications and programmes, many of which offer opportunities for the teaching and learning of Functional Skills within existing programmes.
The value of Functional Skills is in teaching learners to be able to develop and choose appropriate skills needed to solve problems, or deal with everyday situations and tasks.
For the duration of the pilot (2007-2010), all assessments are under development and subject to change.
Functional Skills assessments with ASDAN
ASDAN is piloting Functional Skills as a stand-alone qualification. This gives our centres considerable scope to develop learners’ Functional Skills in programmes they find motivating and relevant. This is a great advantage to both staff and learners, whatever type of centre you work in.
What we are piloting
ASDAN is piloting the three Functional Skills subjects: English, Mathematics and ICT at all five levels: Entry 1-3 and Levels 1 and 2.
How ASDAN is assessing
We offer assessments in line with QCDA guidance and assessment principles. The first external assessments took place in 2008. We currently offer paper-based external assessments in some subjects at some levels, with electronic assessments in development. We also offer externally set, internally marked assessments in some subjects at some levels (see details in each subject section below).
All our assessments are designed to test candidates’ mastery of Functional Skills in relevant contexts. They are all based on problem solving or task-based activities.
Assessments last between 1 and 2 hours at Levels 1 and 2, with more flexibility for Entry level assessments.
Functional Skills Assessment Model
English Assessments
The three components are assessed separately and each must be passed at a given level to achieve a Functional English qualification.
A Speaking & Listening observation activity internally set and marked by the centre, sampled by ASDAN. The candidate's performance is recorded by the assessor by observation of discussions/presentations on easy-to-use ASDAN paperwork.
At Entry 1 and Entry 2, Reading and Writing are assessed through internally set tasks which are marked by the centre, sampled by ASDAN. The candidate's performance is recorded by the assessor through observation of discussions/presentations on easy-to-use ASDAN paperwork. Candidates can complete the tasks in one or several sessions.
At Entry 3, Level 1 and Level 2, Reading and Writing are assessed through externally set tasks to be done in one session, or in three separate sessions. Assessments are set and marked by ASDAN. The total time for these assessments is one and a half hours.
Mathematics Assessments
There is one assessment at Entry level, which consist of a practical paper at E1, short written questions and a practical task at E2, and one written paper at E3. At Levels 1 and 2, there are two papers, one with short written questions and one with a longer task using pre-release source material. At Entry level, we use a combination of internal and external assessment. Level 1 and 2 assessments are externally set and marked. All assessments will last for 1-2 hours.
ICT Assessments
At Entry levels 1 and 2, there is one paper containing tasks and questions. At each of the other three levels there are two papers consisting of either tasks or a mixture of tasks and questions. Data files and/or source material are provided. Assessments are externally set and marked. All assessments will last for 2 to 2-and-a-half hours.
- Chief Examiner Report
- Entry 1
- Entry 2
- Entry 3
- Sample Assessment
- Sample Assessment Record
- Sample Answer Booklet
- Sample Assessment Guide
- Sample Marking Guide
- Sample Data Files - (1), (2), (3), (4)
- Level 1
- Sample Assessment
- Sample Assessment Guide
- Sample Marking Guide
- Sample Data Files - (1), (2), (3), (4), (5)
- Level 2
- Sample Assessment
- Sample Candidate Booklet
- Sample Assessment Guide
- Sample Marking Guide
- Sample Marking Aid
- Sample Data Files - (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6)
Check this page first to make sure that your question has not yet been answered.
- Where can I get the standards from?
From the QCDA web site (www.qcda.gov.uk). - Where can I get more information from?
From the QCDA website, the Functional Skills Support Programme (FSSP) and from the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) website. - When will the assessments be?
The next scheduled assessments are in January 2010. - What will the assessments be like?
See below: "Functional Skills assessments with ASDAN". - Will there be certificates for the pilot?
Yes, the candidates will achieve a Functional Skills qualification in each subject and at each level they achieve. - Will Functional Skills be on the SCAAT tables?
Yes according to QCDA and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).
FS Equivalence Table - Will there be UCAS points for Functional Skills?
This is under discussion with QCDA and UCAS.
Foundation Learning
Please click here to download information about this qualification's eligibility for use in Foundation Learning provision.