- Functional Skills
Functional Skills are qualifications being developed by the
UK Government as part of an initiative to improve the country'sliteracy ,numeracy andICT skills. It is seen as a spin-off from theBasic Skills andKey Skills that are currently offered as an Adult based qualification, however there will be no requirement to complete a portfolio any longer and learners will just be required to pass tests with "embedded" and "contextualised" themes.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". [cite web | url=http://www.lsc.gov.uk/Jargonbuster/Functional+skills.htm | title=Learning and Skills Council - Jargon buster - Functional skills | accessdate=2008-04-18 | publisher=Learning and Skills Council ] The qualifications are being introduced as part of the government's Diploma qualifications and are a response to the14–19 Education and Skills White Paper . [cite web | url=http://developments.edexcel.org.uk/diplomas/what/fs/ | title=Edexcel - Qualification Developments: Diplomas: What is the Diploma?: Functional Skills | accessdate=2008-04-18 | publisher=Edexcel ] The government intends that functional skills will eventually be required for all students whether studying for Diploma orGCSE qualifications. [cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/6262252.stm | title=Diplomas pose basic skills hurdle | date=2007-07-02 | accessdate=2008-04-18 | work=BBC News | publisher=BBC ]References
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