Extension to the initial teacher education, and assessment and quality assurance qualifications

The ETF has recently consulted with awarding organisations and initial teacher education (ITE) providers about the need for a revision.

In the absence of much negative feedback, they have passed a letter to the Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB) for distribution to their members, to advise them to extend these qualifications until July 2020.

This will also apply to the qualifications often referred to as the TAQA suite i.e. the Training, Assessment and Quality Assurance units. 

• See this page of the ETF website for the latest information regarding ITT qualifications.

• See this page for the latest information regarding Assessor and Quality Assurance qualifications.

The Award, Certificate and Diploma in Education and Training were originally introduced in 2013, and the TAQA suite in 2010. They were extended until July 2018.

Under the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), awarding organisations can create their own qualifications if they wish. However, I think most of them will extend the current qualifications as advised by the ETF.

Updated guidance

In November 2016, The Education and Training Foundation (ETF) issued:

• revised guidance for ITT qualifications
• implementation notes and a summary of key changes for ITT qualifications
• Minimum Core guidance
• revised guidance for assessment and quality assurance qualifications

In March 2017, the ETF issued:

• implementation notes and a summary of key changes for TAQA qualifications

A review of the qualifications by the ETF is now planned to commence in January 2019.

How will this affect teacher educators?

• You can continue as you are with your publicity, delivery, assessment and quality assurance.

• Check you are meeting the 2016/2017 ETF revised guidance (in the previous bullet list).

• You might feel some of the content of the units needs updating. For example, with regards to legislation. The Data Protection Act will change this year to become the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Part of your continuing professional development (CPD) could include researching this and other developments.
• You can always add more information when delivering the units and/or encourage your learners to carry out research regarding relevant changes and developments.

How will this affect learners?

• Learners who achieve the current qualifications can be assured they will remain valid no matter what happens in the future (just like PTLLS/CTLLS/DTLLS before) i.e. learners will not need to take the newer version of the qualification.
• Make sure your learners are up to date with any relevant changes and developments. This applies not only in the specialist subject area taught, but regarding teaching, learning and assessment processes and practices (all part of being a duel professional). One way of doing this is to refer to the ETF Professional Standards.

What next?

• Keep an eye on the ETF webpages for confirmation of the extension, and for future consultations.
• If there is a demand for extra areas of coverage, some new optional units could be commissioned by the ETF. These would be openly available to awarding organisations to offer to their centres.
• Let me know of any issues, concerns or problems you have experienced when delivering and assessing the qualifications. I am collating information from practitioners to pass to the ETF. Please email ([email protected]) these to me, or comment on LinkedIn before Friday 23^rd February. 

Ann Gravells is an author of text books for new teachers & trainers, creator of resources for teachers and learners, and an educational consultant.

Useful links:

Education and Training Foundation

Information regarding the current qualifications

Information regarding topics covered in the qualifications

Reading lists for the qualifications

Resources for teachers and learners

Ann Gravells Twitter and website