Functional Skills
Encyclopedia
Functional Skills are qualifications that have been developed by the UK Government as part of an initiative to improve the country's literacy
, numeracy
and ICT
skills. They are replacing Key Skills qualifications from September 2010, and may also replace Basic Skills
Adult Numeracy and Literacy qualifications.
Functional skills qualifications are:
They are also available as stand-alone qualifications.
Functional elements are also a part of new GCSEs in English, mathematics and ICT and are included in key stage 3 and key stage 4 programmes of study.
The three-year functional skills pilot ended on August 31, 2010. All functional skills pilot qualifications have been withdrawn and the new accredited functional skills qualifications are now available for all learners.
Although several assessment models were piloted, the QCDA have approved assessment models that consist of internal assessment and moderation of entry level qualifications by the centre. Level 1 and Level 2 assessments are to be externally assessed and moderated, and carried out in exam conditions at the centre. Functional Skills English Speaking and Listening components will be internally assessed but externally moderated. In Functional Skills Mathematics assessments, candidates at all levels are allowed the use of a calculator. Functional Skills ICT assessments will require use of a computer with internet access.
Although the delivery of Functional Skills should be embedded into GCSE curriculums, a vocational programme or put in a relevant setting (to the learner) by using contextualised teaching materials, the assessments at Level 1 and level 2 will be neither embedded nor contextualised in any way. The entry level delivery and assessments should contain tasks that are intended to be familiar and routine problems or tasks, however to pass Functional Skills at Level 2 (i.e. to be considered fully functional in that subject) a learner must demonstrate mastery of the subject, and demonstrate acquisition of transferable skills (perhaps developed in a familiar context) and apply them in situations that are unfamiliar and non-routine.
Functional Skills Mathematics assessments will consist of mathematical problem solving and decision making using numbers, with tasks simulating the natural occurrence of numerical reasoning within real life contexts.
Functional Skills English assessments will consist of speaking and listening, reading and writing tasks simulating the need for English language skills within real life contexts.
Functional Skills ICT assessments will consist of tasks demanding independent use of all forms of ICT.
Governments in Scotland
, Wales
and Northern Ireland
have no current intentions to introduce the qualifications.
The Learning and Skills Council
defines functional skills as "the skills needed to use basic English, maths and ICT in a range of practical settings". The qualifications are being introduced as part of the government's Diploma
qualifications and are a response to the 14–19 Education and Skills White Paper. The government intends that functional skills will eventually be required for all students whether studying for Diploma or GCSE qualifications.
Literacy
Literacy has traditionally been described as the ability to read for knowledge, write coherently and think critically about printed material.Literacy represents the lifelong, intellectual process of gaining meaning from print...
, numeracy
Numeracy
Numeracy is the ability to reason with numbers and other mathematical concepts. A numerically literate person can manage and respond to the mathematical demands of life...
and ICT
Information and communication technologies
Information and communications technology or information and communication technology, usually abbreviated as ICT, is often used as an extended synonym for information technology , but is usually a more general term that stresses the role of unified communications and the integration of...
skills. They are replacing Key Skills qualifications from September 2010, and may also replace Basic Skills
Basic skills
Basic skills can be compared to higher order thinking skills. Facts and methods are highly valued under the back-to-basics approach to education....
Adult Numeracy and Literacy qualifications.
Functional skills qualifications are:
- A component of the new Foundation, Higher and Advanced Diplomas
- Part of all Foundation Learning programmes
- A component in apprenticeship frameworks (NB Key skills have been extended until March 2011 for use in apprenticeship frameworks, allowing providers the choice of offering either functional skills or key skills until 31 March 2011)
They are also available as stand-alone qualifications.
Functional elements are also a part of new GCSEs in English, mathematics and ICT and are included in key stage 3 and key stage 4 programmes of study.
The three-year functional skills pilot ended on August 31, 2010. All functional skills pilot qualifications have been withdrawn and the new accredited functional skills qualifications are now available for all learners.
Although several assessment models were piloted, the QCDA have approved assessment models that consist of internal assessment and moderation of entry level qualifications by the centre. Level 1 and Level 2 assessments are to be externally assessed and moderated, and carried out in exam conditions at the centre. Functional Skills English Speaking and Listening components will be internally assessed but externally moderated. In Functional Skills Mathematics assessments, candidates at all levels are allowed the use of a calculator. Functional Skills ICT assessments will require use of a computer with internet access.
Although the delivery of Functional Skills should be embedded into GCSE curriculums, a vocational programme or put in a relevant setting (to the learner) by using contextualised teaching materials, the assessments at Level 1 and level 2 will be neither embedded nor contextualised in any way. The entry level delivery and assessments should contain tasks that are intended to be familiar and routine problems or tasks, however to pass Functional Skills at Level 2 (i.e. to be considered fully functional in that subject) a learner must demonstrate mastery of the subject, and demonstrate acquisition of transferable skills (perhaps developed in a familiar context) and apply them in situations that are unfamiliar and non-routine.
Functional Skills Mathematics assessments will consist of mathematical problem solving and decision making using numbers, with tasks simulating the natural occurrence of numerical reasoning within real life contexts.
Functional Skills English assessments will consist of speaking and listening, reading and writing tasks simulating the need for English language skills within real life contexts.
Functional Skills ICT assessments will consist of tasks demanding independent use of all forms of ICT.
Governments in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
have no current intentions to introduce the qualifications.
The Learning and Skills Council
Learning and Skills Council
The Learning and Skills Council was a non-departmental public body jointly sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department for Children, Schools and Families in England...
defines functional skills as "the skills needed to use basic English, maths and ICT in a range of practical settings". The qualifications are being introduced as part of the government's Diploma
14–19 Diploma
The Diploma is a composite qualification in England launched in September 2008. Its development was announced in the 14–19 Education and Skills White Paper of March 2005...
qualifications and are a response to the 14–19 Education and Skills White Paper. The government intends that functional skills will eventually be required for all students whether studying for Diploma or GCSE qualifications.