Qualifications are changing

Qualifications Development Update

Qualifications development model• Hybrid of previous qualifications development models

• Separates roles, clear and focused remits

• Qualifications will be developed in a more strategic and proactive way

• ‘Front ended’ quality assurance is now an integral part of the development process

• Engagement activities – open and transparent - will be more clearly focused at each stage of the development process

Clear roles and remits

Relationship between CfE and SCQF levels

12

34

32

1Early Years

Continues up to Level 12

CfE Levels SCQF Levels≈4

Progression from Experiences and Outcomes• Broad match between CfE Level 4 and SCQF Level 4

• Each course is specific, and:– has a clear, distinct rationale and unit structure– draws on the principles and practice papers for its ‘big

ideas’– draws on experiences and outcomes as appropriate – is based on national standards– has evidence requirements– is set against SCQF

National 4 and National 5 – draft Course Rationale and Summary

Follows on from Overview Reports

• Purpose and aims of learning

• Outline of skills and knowledge

• Course Structure, brief description of Units

• Nature of Added Value

• Method(s) for assessing Added ValueKey messages published online for each Course on its subject page, accompanied by a request for specific feedback

Environmental Science National 4: key pointsThis new Course:• builds on the principles and practice papers in the sciences and

social subjects curriculum areas and has a strong inter-disciplinary nature

• provides progression from the sciences and social science principles and practice papers by giving learners opportunities and encourages an experiential and investigative approach to learning

• provides progression from the experiences and outcomes to investigate the natural and human impact on sustainability, the Earth’s systems and resources

Environmental Science National 4: key points (cont.)

This new Course:

• allows flexibility and personalisation within the Course by allowing choice in the topics studied

• promotes a problem-solving approach to topics like power generation, waste reduction, recycling, land use, forestry, agriculture, economics, and a wide range of other areas

• assesses added value through a project and a test

Stakeholder engagement• Open and transparent - draft materials on web

• Wide range of groups and individuals

• Proactive, planned engagement– to explore issues and help shape thinking– offer advice and guidance– reflect on and test proposals

• MyAlerts and feedback facilities on web – feedback summaries to CARGs and QDTs and then published on web

• Intrinsic part of the development process

CARG, QDT and SWGExternally nominated:

• Eight Curriculum Area Review Groups (CARGs)

• Review Group for Literacy and Numeracy

• Review Group for Access 1 and Access 2

• 42 subject based Qualifications Design Teams (QDT)

Register of Interest:• Subject Working Groups (SWGs)

Suites of Courses: what’s new?• New broad based Courses at Access 3 and

National 4: Business; Design and Technology; Science, Social Subjects; Social Sciences

• New Courses: Computing and Information Science, Design and Manufacture; Engineering Science; Environmental Science; Practical Mathematics

• New practical Courses: Cookery; Cake Baking and Finishing; Electronics; Fabric and Textiles; Metalworking; Woodworking

• New Awards: Belief and Reflection; Health and Wellbeing; Languages; Personal Development

What’s next?Documents Published

National 4, National 5 draft Course Rationales and Summaries Jan 2011

National 4, National 5 draft Course Specifications Apr 2011

Higher draft Course Rationales and Summaries May 2011

Higher draft Course Specifications Aug 2011

National 4, National 5 draft Unit Specifications Aug 2011

National 4, National 5 draft Unit Specifications Aug 2011

Access 3 draft Course Rationales and Summaries Aug 2011

Higher draft Unit Specifications Nov 2011

National 4, National 5 draft Course and Unit Assessment Specifications Nov 2011

Access 3 draft Unit Specifications Dec 2011

National 4, National 5 draft Unit Support Packs Jan 2012

Publication of final Specifications Apr 2012

Assessment support and exemplification materials available: National 4, National 5 (Apr 2012); Higher (Apr 2013); Advanced Higher (Apr 2014)