COMPETENCY AND PLACEMENT TESTING Moving towards the ideal FET College

OVERVIEW Challenges Funding, pass rates and FET students Contributing factors Focusing on FET students Possible solution Baseline testing Managed approach CAP’s offering How can CAP help?

CHALLENGES Funding – Based on L4 certification Throughput rate – Drop out rate from L2 to L4 Students entering FET – Bridging the L2 academic gap

CHALLENGES Funding – Based on L4 certification – College allocation income – Output bonus criteria : Successful completion of past enrolments Average examination scores

CHALLENGES Funding – Based on L4 certification Source: NDoE

CHALLENGES Funding – Based on L4 certification Throughput rate – Drop out rate from L2 to L4 Students entering FET – Bridging the L2 academic gap

CHALLENGES Throughput rate – Drop out rate from L2 to L4 Source: NDoE

CHALLENGES Funding – Based on L4 certification Throughput rate – Drop out rate from L2 to L4 Students entering FET – Bridging the L2 academic gap

CHALLENGES Students entering FET – Bridging the L2 academic gap – Out-of-school-children : more than 1 million pre-grade 12 young people out of school and unemployed – Age difference – 35 – Diverse academic background Source: CHET & FETI: Responding to Educational Needs of Out-Of-School Youth, June 2009

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS Varied age of entry Unsure of career opportunities Learning gaps in – Mathematics – English No established remedial learning path focused on learning gaps

SOLUTION Baseline entrance test – Aptitude testing Too expensive Not standardised Not enough staff, time – Screening test : Identifies possible high risk students – Specialised problem requires specialised staff!

SOLUTION Managed approach to selection and placement – 2010: L2’s – Manage the system: test /select/ fill in the gaps/academic support – Manage the human capital: large groups / schools etc, no marking – Manage the remedial action: linking of test with remedial program

SOLUTION Based on 2007 – 2010 statistics: ENTRY: Standardised test – Identify possible high risk candidates – prediction on passing % for English and Maths – High correlation for both THROUGHPUT: identify background gaps – Focused academic support

SOLUTION Maths and English orientation: first two weeks Standardised tests: immediate identifying of students who need further assessment /support, such as Learning potential assessment – High learning potential: poor academic background but potential to pass. Remedial action: – Low learning potential: Channeling of student to other programmes eg. skills programmes.

CAP SOLUTION Registration 1 Selection 2 Details Capture 3 Testing 4 5 Test Capture 6 Analysis & Reporting 7 Candidate Technical Management Placement 8 Remedial Yes No 9 Exit Counselling

CAP SOLUTION Testing accuracy

CAP SOLUTION How could CAP assist the IDEAL COLLEGE? – identifying the right students with understanding of and interest in programme – identify the right students based on academic background – identify learning gaps for sound foundation – minimize human labour time – maximize testing (administering, marking & reporting) turnover time – affordable

IN CLOSING Managers – Vital role in implementation Student Support Staff – Well trained and qualified – Address specialised challenges Managed process – Testing alone achieves nothing!!!