E&D in Education: Narrowing Gaps in Student Achievement - Advanced Techniques

Overview

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Narrowing the gaps in the progression and achievement rates between different groups of students is now a key requirement of both the Inspection Frameworks for Schools (2012) and the Learning and Skills Sector (2009). This means that Schools, Colleges and Private Providers need to pro-actively identify which groups are underperforming and then take positive action to reduce the disparities in progression and achievement rates.

For those Schools that have the core, mainly classroom-based techniques, such as initial assessment, individualized learning and mentoring, firmly in place, this workshop explores some of the more complex and sophisticated issues that impact on student progression and achievement.

The workshop focuses on data analysis that actively searches for any gaps in learner progress, attainment, achievement, retention and success rates; It summarises research findings from a range of sources which identify the likely causes of continuing variations in achievement across different groups of learners, together with strategies to reduce existing differentials.

For Whom

This intensive and highly pragmatic one-day workshop is designed for senior representatives from organisations in the Learning and Educational Sectors, including those from Schools, FE Colleges and Private Providers.

The workshop may also be of interest to representatives from infrastructure organisations or those interested in a better understanding of the outputs of research into underperformance in different learning groups across the entire learning journey, from school and college to university.

For those wishing to know more about core classroom-based solutions, our workshop on the same is recommended.

Delegate Feedback

'Good practical idea & open discussion informative.'
Director of Learning, Suffolk New College

'A very detailed workshop - reflective which is always good practice, remembering your starting point.'
Quality Manager, Derby College

'Excellent, Informative, Intensive, thought provoking.'
Assistant Principal Telford College of Arts & Technology

Aims and Objectives

This one-day workshop aims to help participants develop or enhance their understanding of

narrowing the learner achievement gap in the context of the Inspection Frameworks
data-monitoring and analysis that actively seeks to find relative gaps between learner progress and outcomes.
the research findings relating to the achievement gap between boys, girls and racial groups at school (including the impact of socio-economic and other variables)
research findings relating to E & D embedding strategies undertaken at universities and the lessons that can be learned
the strategies used in schools and colleges to reduce the achievement gap
developing a ‘joined-up’ E & D strategy

Content

The workshop is split into 7 distinct but related sections:

1. Understanding the requirement to narrow any achievement gap between groups of learners

Outline of the duties under the Equality Act 2010 & Specific Duties Regulations 2011
Mapping the requirement to narrow the achievement gap across the Inspection Frameworks
Considering initial 'next steps' for schools and FE sector
The importance of effective data-monitoring and analysis that actively seeks to find gaps in learner progress, retention, achievement and success rates. Considering intersections between equality strands and wider variables.

2. Understanding and reducing the achievement gaps within the school sector

A range of recent research
Boys, Girls, Racial Groups, Socio-economic inequalities, wider variables and their impact
Trends evident from research
The identified drivers and barriers to achievement
Examples of successful strategies to raise aspirations and achievement among different groups of learners
Placing the research into the context of the proposed Inspection framework 2012

3. The Implications for FE and WBL of achievement gaps within the school sector

How such achievement gaps can transfer to FE and WBL
How such achievement gaps can impact on FE and WBL

4. Reducing the adverse impact of existing achievement gaps on FE

Effective (careers) information, advice and guidance (C-IAG):

learner recruitment
selection
enrolment
learner aspirations
meeting the requirements of the CIF 2009

Effective enrolment and induction:
- initial assessment
- diagnostic testing
- induction assignment
Raising learner aspirations
Possible early intervention strategies

5. Good Practice for the FE Sector

Reducing the achievement gap
Raising learner aspirations
Meeting related aspects of the E&D requirement in the 2009 CIF
Focusing on and monitoring IMPACT
Emerging research (as and when published)

6. Research on E&D embedding strategies applied in universities

Embedding E & D within the curriculum – what does it mean in practice?
The approaches to and benefits of embedding E & D for international students
The implications for further education colleges providing higher education provision - and generally

7. Towards a ‘joined-up’ strategy to reduce the achievement gap

The importance of developing strategies informed by achievement gaps throughout the learner journey from school and college to university
The implications of the 2012 Schools Inspection Framework and CIF 2009 for consortia delivering specialised diplomas, and other 14-16 provision in colleges

Delivery Style

The workshop will be a blend of presentation, group and individual case study exercises and Q&A sessions at group and room level. Time will be allocated to addressing individual questions, quality and strategic issues, also for networking and sharing of good practice.

Internal Staff Training and Development

This workshop, as with most of our good practice workshops, can be delivered on your premises. This approach is favoured by many of our clients as it provides a quality, value-for-money and highly effective route for staff development.

Running workshops internally, allows participants explore how key issues will impact on them and their organization and as a team begin to agree development action and priorities.

Typical costs for a one day good practice workshop, excluding VAT, are just £1290 + £30/person. Even with groups as small as 6 costs per person costs for internal workshops are lower than attending our open events and savings increase further when delegate travel-time costs and convenience are factored in.

More information at:

http://www.excellence-in-learning.co.uk/index.php?page=internal

Related Equality and Diversity Workshops

Certificates of Professional Development.

Formal Certificates of Development will be issued, by post, to participants who complete this workshop. These certificates will detail the key learning aims and the face-to-face learning hours undertaken, enabling participants to update their CPD records and logs accordingly. The workshop also allows time, during the day, for participants to reflect on and record their personal learning development and consider how best to apply the knowledge gained on return to work. This element of the programme is designed to maximise the benefits from attending and enable participants to make better review judgments when recording their CPD activities.

Excellence in Learning