Recognising and Recording Progress and Achievement

Recognising and recording progress and achievement (RARPA), in the education sector in England, is a tool to measure the progress and achievement of learners on some further education courses that do not lead to an externally accredited award or qualification. The majority of such courses are in the adult and community learning sector. [ Duckett, Ian & Brooke, Di, Learning and Skills Network, p.1 ]

Background to RARPA

RARPA was developed by a group of practitioners who were grappling with the issue of how to recognise and validate learning that takes place where there is no accredited qualification as an outcome. [ Learning and Skills Network e-briefing, Recognising and Recording Progress and Achievement, accessed May 2008 ] The Learning and Skills Council funded a group of researchers at the Learning and Skills Development Agency (now the Learning and Skills Network) and the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education to develop the concept.

RARPA was developed as part of the Learning and Skills Council’s New Measures of Success. These new measures aim to harmonise the basis for measuring educational achievement, so that the performance of learners in different parts of the learning and skills sector can be more accurately compared. [ Measures of Success for the Learning and Skills sector: frequently asked questions (Learning and Skills Council, April 2007) p2 ]

How does RARPA work?

RARPA is designed to support teaching and learning practices. It helps teachers to effectively deliver personalised learning, allowing them to ensure that learning is taking place and that the learner is making progress. RARPA enhances the learning experience, as it encourages learners to engage actively by measuring their own progress and achievements. [ Duckett, Ian & Brooke, Di, Learning and Skills Network, p.1 ]

RARPA is a tool that serves as a measure of accountability. This means that the learning experience is subject to the formal inspection and quality assurance processes of the further education sector.

The RARPA approach has five distinct staged processes: aims and objectives, initial assessment, learning objectives, identification of learning, and review and recording.

Aims and objectives

The aims of the course of learning should be communicated clearly to learners before they make a decision about their individual route to achievement. [ Duckett, Ian & Brooke, Di, Learning and Skills Network, p.2 ]

Initial assessment

Learners’ previous achievements, current skills and learning needs should be properly considered before a decision has been made about their particular route to achievement. [ Duckett, Ian & Brooke, Di, Learning and Skills Network, p.2 ]

Learning objectives

A set of learning outcomes should be agreed with each learner that is consistent with their learning goal(s). These outcomes should be based on their identified needs and challenge them to make real progress in their learning achievement There should be opportunities, if necessary, to revise these learning outcomes during the course. [ Duckett, Ian & Brooke, Di, Learning and Skills Network, p.2 ]

Identification of learning

The progress of learners should be recognised and recorded, through means of formative assessment by the teacher, and by learners themselves. [ Implementing measures of success, the handbook, section 10.1.3.2 (Learning and Skills Council) ]

Review and recording

Learners should be given regular opportunities to assess progress towards their learning outcomes and to review their planned route to achievement. Learners’ success in reaching their planned goal(s) should be recognised through a process appropriate to their needs that summarises their achievements and identifies possible future goals. [ Duckett, Ian & Brooke, Di, Learning and Skills Network, p.2 ]

References

See also

* Learning and Skills Network
* Adult education
* Community education
* Formative assessment

External links

* [http://www.lsc.gov.uk/ Learning and Skills Council]
* [http://www.lsnsolutions.org.uk/inhousetraining/recognising Learning and Skills Network]
* [http://www.lsncommunity.org.uk/ebriefing/?p=17 Learning and Skills Network e-briefing, Recognising and Recording Progress and Achievement]
* [http://www.niace.org.uk/Projects/RARPA/Default.htm National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE)]