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02/09/2003
Adult learning report focuses on initial assessment
The first report from the Adult Learning Inspectorate for England has focused on the vital role of a good initial assessment of the requirements of adult learners.
The report from the government body responsible for raising the standards of education and training for young people and adults in England raises concerns about the “inadequate” initial assessments.
Despite the importance of the initial assessment the report demonstrates that in all areas - colleges, work based learning, prisons, adult and community learning, leardirect and provision funded by Jobcentre Plus - it is often inadequate. During an inspection of a learning provider, certain parameters at initial assessment were four times more likely to be identified as a “weakness” rather than as a “strength”.
Inspector Lesley Thom who helped produce the report said: "We hope that it will give everyone an opportunity to stand back and make judgements about which methods are, or are not, working. Good quality initial assessment is vital if learners are to achieve their goals. Without it the learner can become a rudderless ship. Some learners will achieve their goals but some may not."
The report noted that all adult learners have widely different backgrounds and educational needs. When a learner embarks on a course the initial assessment offers the opportunity to look back at what the learner has achieved in the past and forward to the learner's goals. It is all too easy for the learner to embark on a course of learning or training which is either too demanding, or repeats work that they have already done. Either way - the learner can become disillusioned and abandon the course – depriving themselves, their families, and the economy of vital skills.
This report, which aims to drive up standards by improving the understanding of the initial assessment and suggesting practical steps for improvement, contains examples of good and poor practice from across the whole of the learning and skills sector.
A seminar is being offered on the subject of initial assessment and the findings of the report. It will be at the ALI head office in Coventry on Friday 17 October.
Initial Assessment in Adult Learning is available on the ALI website at www.ali.gov.uk.
(SP)
The report from the government body responsible for raising the standards of education and training for young people and adults in England raises concerns about the “inadequate” initial assessments.
Despite the importance of the initial assessment the report demonstrates that in all areas - colleges, work based learning, prisons, adult and community learning, leardirect and provision funded by Jobcentre Plus - it is often inadequate. During an inspection of a learning provider, certain parameters at initial assessment were four times more likely to be identified as a “weakness” rather than as a “strength”.
Inspector Lesley Thom who helped produce the report said: "We hope that it will give everyone an opportunity to stand back and make judgements about which methods are, or are not, working. Good quality initial assessment is vital if learners are to achieve their goals. Without it the learner can become a rudderless ship. Some learners will achieve their goals but some may not."
The report noted that all adult learners have widely different backgrounds and educational needs. When a learner embarks on a course the initial assessment offers the opportunity to look back at what the learner has achieved in the past and forward to the learner's goals. It is all too easy for the learner to embark on a course of learning or training which is either too demanding, or repeats work that they have already done. Either way - the learner can become disillusioned and abandon the course – depriving themselves, their families, and the economy of vital skills.
This report, which aims to drive up standards by improving the understanding of the initial assessment and suggesting practical steps for improvement, contains examples of good and poor practice from across the whole of the learning and skills sector.
A seminar is being offered on the subject of initial assessment and the findings of the report. It will be at the ALI head office in Coventry on Friday 17 October.
Initial Assessment in Adult Learning is available on the ALI website at www.ali.gov.uk.
(SP)
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