Foundation Learning

The QCDA has a new statement (9th May)

Statement about funding Foundation Learning programmes for learners with learning difficulties and disabilities.

Here are some further Foundation links

None of the links from my June 2009 Foundation Learning blog entry now work !

The Excellence Gateway will provide
An introduction

An introductory guide from ASDAN :
The Foundation Learning Tier

A list of all the qualifications available under Foundation Learning

Foundation Learning catalogue

Pre entry learners will now take an entry 1 qualification using The 10 stage continuum

This 10 stage continuum is copied from the
edexcel website
because I can no longer find it on QDCA or Excellence gateway -Can any one help?

The Entry 1 Achievement Continuum

The 10 stages — summary description

• Encounter
Characterised by presence and reflex responses.

• Early awareness
Characterised by fleeting attention and inconsistent responses.

• Interest
Characterised by more consistent and differentiated reactions.

• Supported participation
Characterised by co-operation and engagement.

• Active involvement
Characterised by recognition, anticipation and proactive responses.

• Development
Characterised by remembered responses and intentional communication.

• Exploration
Characterised by concentration, recall and observation.

• Initiation
Characterised by established responses and conventional communication.

• Consolidation
Characterised by the formation of skills, knowledge, concepts and understandings.

• Application
Characterised by the application of skills, knowledge, concepts and understandings.




These forums may be somewhere to ask for help... or gain solace with others in the same situation...

• Foundation Learning Discussion forum Excellence Gateway

• TES Special Educational Needs Forum (need to sign in)

• BECTA SLD forum

Functional Skills

Teachers TV has a 20 minute film explaining the new Functional Skills(Numeracy,Literacy and ICT) which will be with us by 2010.The programme is an introduction rather than a detailed analysis.




The Teachers TV page also has suggested links for further information.

Pre entry learners and the Foundation Learning Tier

If you are unfamiliar with the Foundation Learning Tier it would be a good idea to start with a general introduction from the Qualification and Curriculum Authority :
What is the Foundation Learning Tier

The LSC guide: Frequently asked questions

An introductory guide from ASDAN : The Foundation Learning Tier


Pre entry and entry 1 learners will be included in the Foundation Learning Tier at Entry 1 following the Personal and Social development pathway.

The types of units to be included can be found here : progression pathway catalogue

The Foundation Learning Tier starts at Entry 1.Within Entry 1 there is a continuum that embraces all pre entry learners. This allows many learners the opportunity for accredited learning for the first time.

The levels start with Encounter and move through 10 stages including Experience and Consolidation finishing with Application

This is called the 10-stage achievement continuum Details can be downloaded from the QCA website

ASDAN is offering workshops on the new qualification

Some Acronyms

First day back after the Christmas break and luckily we had a day to get used to being back at work with a day without students.We spent the day thinking about what is ahead for us in education and particularly working with students with a learning difficulty.
We started with an overview and noted that the LSC Learning and Skills Council will be replaced by 4 bodies who will be
SFA Skills Funding Agency - who will fund adult courses

LA Local Authorities who will fund 16-19 learning

NAS National Apprentice System who will oversee apprenticeships

YPLA Young Peoples Learning Agency who will input into the 14-19 provision

In addition colleges will continue to work with the

DIUS Department of Innovation ,University and Skills and the
DCFS Department of Children Schools and Families

We also considered the implication of ROCPA Raising of the Compulsory Participation Age - currently set for 2013 for 17 year olds and 2015 for all 18 year olds and not to be confused with ROSLA Raising of the School Leaving Age.

We then focused in on the FLT Foundation Learning Tier which will be with us by Dec 2010 This will cover pre entry entry and level 1.

We learnt that each student from the moment they start school through adulthood will have an IPN Individual Personal Number which can be used to track their qualifications and allow credits gained to be banked and used towards other qualifications.

It will use the QCF the Qualification Credit Framework which will allow the accumulation of credits.
All our existing qualifications are being written to fit into this framework.We learnt that funding will be still based on GLH Guided Learning Hours 1 credit =10 hour.

The FLT will have
Strands:
Vocational
Functional skills
Personal and social development

and will lead to 4 progression pathways:
To a first level 2 course
Skilled work
Foundation diploma
Supported employment or independent living

so BFN By for now and thanks for reading

By the way I'm using this as a reflection for my CPD Continuing Professional Development IFL Institute for Learning record