Equalities in the Diploma

2 October 2009

Do you think the Diploma is accessible to all learners - if not, what could be done to ensure there are no barriers to access?

Zara Ahmed

Fri, 2 Oct 2009 - 13:05

QCDA Host 2

Joined: 2/4/2009

Posts:

promoting equalities in the Diploma

Bearing in mind that the QCDA "Equality in 14 - 19 Education" states that young people are entitled to an education appropriate to their potential, is it acceptable for exemption from certain sections of an assessment to be used so that disabled students may achieve the qualification.

Tue, 6 Oct 2009 - 09:38

qcdadiscuss

Joined: 6/3/2009

Posts:

Promoting Equalities in the Diploma

The skills, knowledge, understanding, standards and/or principles which form criteria are equality impact assessed to ensure that they lead to qualifications that do not discriminate in a way that is unreasonable.

All efforts are taken to ensure that a qualification's design is as inclusive as possible.

If a learner is unable to access part of a qualifcation and there are no suitable access arrangments available, an exemption may be sought. An exemption is an agreement reached by an awarding body for a disabled learner to miss a component/s.

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 - 11:20

QCDA Host 2

Joined: 2/4/2009

Posts:

promoting equalities in the Diploma

The word exemption is the opposite to inclusion. In order to promote equality in th Diploma, awarding bodies should find an alternative way of testing when a candidate is unable to access part of an assessment because of their impairment. This alternative form of testing could then become available to non-disabled candidates and thus enrich the Diploma courses further.

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 - 10:17

zaraahmed

Joined: 28/10/2009

Posts:

Promoting Equalities in the Diploma

Yes, I agree with you. We are currently equality impact assessing Diploma policies. We also work closely with the awarding community to ensure that the specifications they develop are non-discriminatory and promote equality across all strands. QCDA also promotes "Fair Access by Design". This document provides guidance on how qualifications can be designed to give all learners the fairest possible opportunities to show what they know, understand and can do.

We also encourage awarding bodies to look for innovative/alternative methods of testing to enable full access, whilst maintaining the integrity of the assessment.

The word "exemption" is used as this is the term in the relevant legislation.

We have consulted with disabled people and we understand that whilst they welcome the regulations around exemptions, they would prefer not to be exempt from any part of the assessment. We are working closely with OfQual, awarding bodies, equality groups and DDPs to ensure the Diploma is accessible.

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 - 11:18

qcdadiscuss

Joined: 6/3/2009

Posts:

Equalities discussion - now closed

Many thanks for your contributions to this discussion. Please note this discussion is now closed.