[AAACE-NLA] Reports (Daphne Greenberg)

[jay.derrick at blueyonder.co.uk]

There is a 2005 report on Skills for Life, the UK (England and Wales)
policy initiative on adult literacy,numeracy and ESOL launched in 2001,
published by the British Parliament's Public Accounts Committee.  This can
be found at
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmselect/cmpubacc/792/79203.htm

It contains what I think is a very interesting discussion on questions
such as:
* what is the best way to measure the success of adult basic education
policy implementation?
* what is meant by success in adult basic education teaching and learning?
* do quick and cheap assessment methods really do the job we want them to?
* how much are provider organisations and teachers changing their
practices so as to satisfy the narrow requirements of the policy rather
than the complex and diverse needs of learners?

In particular, the report finds that in order to achieve targets at every
level, government agencies and education provider organisations such as
colleges and adult education services have tended to focus their attention
on higher level learners who can be expected to pass the national tests
more quickly and easily.  The whole system, therefore, has shifted to
prioritise the 'low hanging fruit'.  A consequence of this is that
programmes for lower level learners, and for those with special needs or
for those who for any reason are more likely to drop out or not pass the
test within the specified period, have been cut back.  So the people moist
in need of support are finding it harder to get it.

It also found that over half of the 'successes' counted towards the
national targets were in fact young people of 16-18, rather than the
intended beneficiaries of the policy, adult learners. Most of these
younger learners would have gained their qualifications anyway,
irrespective of the Skills for Life policy.

I would be very interested, like Daphne, in hearing of other such reports,
particularly if they reject the view that gaining official qualifications
is the only criteria for success.

Jay Derrick
BlueSky Learning Ltd
London
UK