By Neil Merrick
16 July 2009
Plans to compare further education colleges using a controversial new performance system have been postponed for a year.
The Learning and Skills Council announced on July 15 that the Framework for Excellence would still be used to produce headline results for the sector later this month but individual scores would not appear until 2010.
Framework for Excellence covers a range of indicators, including students’ qualifications and what they do when they leave FE. Colleges, which have been using it for up to two years, have complained about the accuracy of the scores it produces. They are also concerned that data might be used to develop misleading league tables.
LSC chief executive Geoff Russell said it had taken on board colleges’ concerns and would be writing to FE principals to explain the rationale behind this week’s decision.
‘There is further work to do, both in developing the framework and in helping people to better understand the results,’ he said. ‘We agree with the sector that now is not the best time to publish individual provider results.’
Joy Mercer, senior policy manager at the Association of Colleges, said the framework had led to scores that directly contradicted the results of Ofsted inspections. ‘There were some very peculiar outcomes,’ she added.
The LSC had already dropped plans to compare the financial viability of colleges. But the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills confirmed this week that it still plans to extend the framework to sixth-form colleges and local authorities.
16 July 2009
Plans to compare further education colleges using a controversial new performance system have been postponed for a year.
The Learning and Skills Council announced on July 15 that the Framework for Excellence would still be used to produce headline results for the sector later this month but individual scores would not appear until 2010.
Framework for Excellence covers a range of indicators, including students’ qualifications and what they do when they leave FE. Colleges, which have been using it for up to two years, have complained about the accuracy of the scores it produces. They are also concerned that data might be used to develop misleading league tables.
LSC chief executive Geoff Russell said it had taken on board colleges’ concerns and would be writing to FE principals to explain the rationale behind this week’s decision.
‘There is further work to do, both in developing the framework and in helping people to better understand the results,’ he said. ‘We agree with the sector that now is not the best time to publish individual provider results.’
Joy Mercer, senior policy manager at the Association of Colleges, said the framework had led to scores that directly contradicted the results of Ofsted inspections. ‘There were some very peculiar outcomes,’ she added.
The LSC had already dropped plans to compare the financial viability of colleges. But the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills confirmed this week that it still plans to extend the framework to sixth-form colleges and local authorities.
