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Youngsters 'confused by Diplomas' Youngsters 'confused by Diplomas'
(30 minutes later)
Confusion about what the new 14-19 Diplomas in England entail may in part explain the slow initial take-up of the qualification, research suggests.Confusion about what the new 14-19 Diplomas in England entail may in part explain the slow initial take-up of the qualification, research suggests.
A study commissioned by the Department for Children, Schools and Families found some young people believed they would be too hard, academic or "posh".A study commissioned by the Department for Children, Schools and Families found some young people believed they would be too hard, academic or "posh".
Others thought them too work-oriented. Decisions about them drew on a limited, sometimes inaccurate understanding. Others thought them too work-oriented. Decisions about them drew on sometimes inaccurate understanding, it said.
The government says it knows that a greater communication effort is needed.The government says it knows that a greater communication effort is needed.
The study, National evaluation of diplomas: preparation for 2008 delivery, was carried out by a team from the National Foundation for Educational Research and the University of Exeter.The study, National evaluation of diplomas: preparation for 2008 delivery, was carried out by a team from the National Foundation for Educational Research and the University of Exeter.
They conducted a telephone survey of 136 leaders in consortiums that are offering the new qualifications, which began being taught in five subjects last term.They conducted a telephone survey of 136 leaders in consortiums that are offering the new qualifications, which began being taught in five subjects last term.
They also visited 15 consortiums - schools, colleges, training providers, employers and higher education institutions - and in 30 of them surveyed learners aged approximately 13 and 15.They also visited 15 consortiums - schools, colleges, training providers, employers and higher education institutions - and in 30 of them surveyed learners aged approximately 13 and 15.
'Challenging''Challenging'
Their key findings are that there was a general welcome for the Diploma, but that the information, advice and guidance for young people, parents and staff varied.Their key findings are that there was a general welcome for the Diploma, but that the information, advice and guidance for young people, parents and staff varied.
"The majority of learners did not recall receiving key information about Diplomas and it was evident that some were basing their decision on whether to take a Diploma or not on a limited and sometimes inaccurate understanding of the qualification," the report says."The majority of learners did not recall receiving key information about Diplomas and it was evident that some were basing their decision on whether to take a Diploma or not on a limited and sometimes inaccurate understanding of the qualification," the report says.
It notes that the take-up of Diplomas has been lower than expected. Fewer than 12,000 learners began studying them at all levels compared with initial expectations of more than three times that many.It notes that the take-up of Diplomas has been lower than expected. Fewer than 12,000 learners began studying them at all levels compared with initial expectations of more than three times that many.
"Nonetheless, given that notable minorities of young people had not heard of Diplomas, or had not been given any information about them, this suggests ... there is potential for growth in take-up in the future.""Nonetheless, given that notable minorities of young people had not heard of Diplomas, or had not been given any information about them, this suggests ... there is potential for growth in take-up in the future."
There was a general perception that the qualification would involve more work and be more challenging than their other courses, the researchers said.There was a general perception that the qualification would involve more work and be more challenging than their other courses, the researchers said.
As two Year 9 learners put it: "The word 'Diploma' makes it sound like it's going to be too hard", and "The name, it seems academic and posh ... it seems really difficult."As two Year 9 learners put it: "The word 'Diploma' makes it sound like it's going to be too hard", and "The name, it seems academic and posh ... it seems really difficult."
Other reasons teenagers gave for not taking them included a lack of interest in the limited subject areas of the first five - construction and the built environment, engineering, information technology, creative and media, and society, health and development - and concern about doing something "untried" that might narrow future school and career options.Other reasons teenagers gave for not taking them included a lack of interest in the limited subject areas of the first five - construction and the built environment, engineering, information technology, creative and media, and society, health and development - and concern about doing something "untried" that might narrow future school and career options.
Some were worried about studying out of school, spending perhaps whole days on one subject and what they perceived to be the more practical nature of the Diploma.Some were worried about studying out of school, spending perhaps whole days on one subject and what they perceived to be the more practical nature of the Diploma.
"In addition they were concerned about the structure of the Diploma, which meant that 'failing one exam means you fail the whole Diploma'.""In addition they were concerned about the structure of the Diploma, which meant that 'failing one exam means you fail the whole Diploma'."
Schools Minister Jim Knight told a Commons select committee on Wednesday that the problem was more to do with messaging than the Diplomas themselves and agreed more effort was needed to communicate the benefits, particularly to teachers.Schools Minister Jim Knight told a Commons select committee on Wednesday that the problem was more to do with messaging than the Diplomas themselves and agreed more effort was needed to communicate the benefits, particularly to teachers.
"A big campaign is under way," said a spokesman for England's Department for Children, Schools and Families."A big campaign is under way," said a spokesman for England's Department for Children, Schools and Families.
The aim had been to build up slowly initially.The aim had been to build up slowly initially.
"We think the diplomas give a good mix of applied and more traditional classroom learning," he added."We think the diplomas give a good mix of applied and more traditional classroom learning," he added.
The Diplomas are not being made available elsewhere in the UK.The Diplomas are not being made available elsewhere in the UK.