Research and analysis

Understanding Qualification Design

Insights from the 2020 to 2024 CASLO qualification research programme - part of a series from Ofqual바카라 사이트™s programme of research into the CASLO approach.

• From: Ofqual
• Published: 18 November 2024

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Understanding Qualification Design

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Details

This is the capstone of our 2020 to 2024 research programme, outcomes from which are described within 9 reports (which are listed in the present report prior to its contents page) linked to 4 strands:

1. descriptive strand 바카라 사이트“ which set out to explain what we mean by the CASLO approach to qualification design and, therefore, what we mean by a CASLO qualification
2. functional strand 바카라 사이트“ which set out to describe how CASLO qualifications work (in contrast to the more widely recognised family of 바카라 사이트˜classical바카라 사이트™ qualifications, which includes GCSEs and A levels)
3. historical strand 바카라 사이트“ which set out to understand the origins and evolution of the CASLO approach within the landscape of VTQs in England
4. critical strand 바카라 사이트“ which set out to consider criticisms that have been levelled at the CASLO approach

This report does not attempt to summarise everything that we have learnt over the course of the past few years. Instead, it attempts to draw together some of the most fundamental insights from the programme 바카라 사이트“ related, in particular, to criticisms of the approach and to how potential problems might be mitigated 바카라 사이트“ with the use of some theoretical scaffolding. Its 4 main sections are headed:

1. 바카라 사이트˜policy journey바카라 사이트™ 바카라 사이트“ a brief account of how views of the CASLO approach have evolved over time, particularly from a policy perspective, which ultimately explains the rationale for our research programme
2. 바카라 사이트˜fledgeling theoretical framework바카라 사이트™ 바카라 사이트“ an attempt to sketch an outline for an overarching integrated theory of educational certification, within which to situate a framework for understanding qualification design
3. 바카라 사이트˜anticipatory qualification design바카라 사이트™ 바카라 사이트“ suggestions for steps that can be taken to improve the likelihood of effective qualification reform, by anticipating likely requirements and threats more thoroughly
4. 바카라 사이트˜moving forward바카라 사이트™ 바카라 사이트“ our concluding section, which explains how we might begin to use insights from our research programme to improve qualification policies and practices in the future

Authors

Paul E. Newton, Milja Curcin, Latoya Clarke, and Astera Brylka, from Ofqual바카라 사이트™s Standards, Research, and Analysis Directorate.

Acknowledgements

We are extremely grateful to all of our colleagues within Ofqual who have supported the CASLO research programme in so many ways. For insights of particular relevance to the present report, we would also like to thank Alison Wood, Chris Winch, and Stan Lester.

The CASLO Research Programme

This report is part of a series that arose from Ofqual바카라 사이트™s 2020 to 2024 programme of research into the CASLO approach:

1. The CASLO Research Programme: Overview of research projects conducted between 2020 and 2024.

2. The CASLO Approach: A design template for vocational and technical qualifications.

3. How 바카라 사이트˜CASLO바카라 사이트™ Qualifications Work. (This was published in February 2022.)

4. Origins and Evolution of the CASLO Approach in England: The importance of outcomes and mastery when designing vocational and technical qualifications.

5. Responding to Criticisms of the CASLO Approach (Report A): A taxonomy of potential problems.

6. Responding to Criticisms of the CASLO Approach (Report B): Views from awarding organisations.

7. Responding to Criticisms of the CASLO Approach (Report C): Views from qualification stakeholders.

8. Responding to Criticisms of the CASLO Approach (Report D): Properties of qualifications from the CASLO research programme.

9. Understanding Qualification Design: Insights from the 2020 to 2024 CASLO qualification research programme.

Published 18 November 2024