<strong>Recognis<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>and</strong> Record<strong>in</strong>g Progress <strong>and</strong> Achievement <strong>in</strong> Non-accredited Learn<strong>in</strong>g<strong>and</strong> circumstances <strong>and</strong> the particularfeatures of the learn<strong>in</strong>g programme• require the m<strong>in</strong>imum level of formaldocumentation <strong>in</strong> l<strong>in</strong>e with the LSC’scommitments to avoid<strong>in</strong>g unnecessarybureaucracy• operate alongside <strong>and</strong> support theimplementation of the new CIF• be compatible with the LSC’s fund<strong>in</strong>garrangements• provide a nationally consistent <strong>and</strong> responsiveapproach to recognis<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> <strong>record<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>progress</strong><strong>and</strong> <strong>achievement</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>non</strong>-accredited learn<strong>in</strong>g.• enable both the <strong>achievement</strong> of plannedlearn<strong>in</strong>g objectives <strong>and</strong> learn<strong>in</strong>g outcomesnot specified at the outset to be recognised<strong>and</strong> valued• promote good practice <strong>in</strong> teach<strong>in</strong>g, learn<strong>in</strong>g<strong>and</strong> assessment• enhance providers’ quality assurance<strong>and</strong> improvement practices.The staged process35 Providers will also be expected to ensure thatlearners’ views are taken <strong>in</strong>to account <strong>in</strong> the plann<strong>in</strong>gof future provision.31 The arrangements to support the consistent <strong>and</strong>effective application of this process will be an <strong>in</strong>tegralpart of the quality assurance processes of the provider.Providers will be able to make reference to thesearrangements <strong>in</strong> their self-assessment reportsto demonstrate that the RARPA approach is <strong>in</strong> place.32 The approach that has been developed by LSDA,NIACE <strong>and</strong> the LSC acknowledges the paramountimportance of the diverse needs, purposes <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>terestsof learners <strong>in</strong> a wide range of learn<strong>in</strong>g contexts. It seeksto address the requirements <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>terests of otherstakeholders, particularly providers <strong>and</strong> the LSC.33 The elements of the staged process are set outbelow. Providers’ <strong>in</strong>ternal systems should also makespecific provision for learners’ evaluation of theirlearn<strong>in</strong>g experience, <strong>and</strong> feedback from learners thatcontributes to <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>forms providers’ judgementsfor self-assessment, three-year development plans<strong>and</strong> their strategies for cont<strong>in</strong>uous improvement,<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g programme design.34 The staged process has been designed to:• focus on <strong>and</strong> promote the needs <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>terestsof learners• take account of learners’ diverse<strong>and</strong> sometimes multiple purposes<strong>in</strong> learn<strong>in</strong>g• allow for negotiation of the content<strong>and</strong> outcomes of learn<strong>in</strong>g programmes• encourage learners to reflect on <strong>and</strong> recognisetheir own <strong>progress</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>achievement</strong>, thus<strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g their confidence• promote <strong>and</strong> support <strong>in</strong>formed learner selfassessment,peer assessment <strong>and</strong> dialogueabout learn<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> <strong>achievement</strong> betweenlearners <strong>and</strong> tutors or tra<strong>in</strong>ers4
<strong>Recognis<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>and</strong> Record<strong>in</strong>g Progress <strong>and</strong> Achievement <strong>in</strong> Non-accredited Learn<strong>in</strong>gTable 1: The staged process.ElementEvidence1Aim(s) appropriate to an <strong>in</strong>dividual learneror groups of learnersClearly stated aim(s) for all programmes2Initial assessment to establish the learner’sstart<strong>in</strong>g po<strong>in</strong>tRecord of outcomes of process of establish<strong>in</strong>glearners’ start<strong>in</strong>g po<strong>in</strong>ts3Identification of appropriately challeng<strong>in</strong>glearn<strong>in</strong>g objectives (<strong>in</strong>itial, renegotiated<strong>and</strong> revised)Clearly stated <strong>and</strong> suitably challeng<strong>in</strong>g objectives forall programmes <strong>and</strong>, wherever feasible, <strong>in</strong>dividuallyfor each learner4Recognition <strong>and</strong> <strong>record<strong>in</strong>g</strong> of <strong>progress</strong> <strong>and</strong><strong>achievement</strong> dur<strong>in</strong>g programme (formativeassessment), <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g tutor feedback tolearners, learner reflection, <strong>progress</strong> reviewsExamples of appropriate evidence <strong>in</strong>cludes:Records of learner self-assessment, group <strong>and</strong> peerassessment, tutor records of assessment activities<strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>dividual or group <strong>progress</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>achievement</strong>.Learners’ files, journals, diaries, portfolios, artwork,videos, audiotapes, performances, exhibitions<strong>and</strong> displays, <strong>in</strong>dividual or group learner testimony,artefacts, photographs <strong>and</strong> other forms of evidence5End-of-programme learner self-assessment,tutor summative assessment, review ofoverall <strong>progress</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>achievement</strong><strong>in</strong> relation to appropriately challeng<strong>in</strong>glearn<strong>in</strong>g objectives identified at the beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>gor dur<strong>in</strong>g the programme. It may <strong>in</strong>cluderecognition of learn<strong>in</strong>g outcomes notspecified dur<strong>in</strong>g the programmeExamples of appropriate evidence <strong>in</strong>cludes:Records of learner self-assessment, group <strong>and</strong> peerassessment, tutor records of assessment activities<strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>dividual or group <strong>progress</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>achievement</strong>.Learners’ files, journals, diaries, portfolios, artwork,videos, audiotapes, performances, exhibitions<strong>and</strong> displays, <strong>in</strong>dividual or group learner testimony,artefacts, photographs <strong>and</strong> other forms of evidenceKey themes36 The key themes of RARPA are that:• the learner is at the centre of the RARPAapproach• the purpose of <strong>in</strong>troduc<strong>in</strong>g RARPAis to enhance the learners’ experience• the application of RARPA should be fitfor purpose• the approach, both <strong>in</strong> the staged process<strong>and</strong> the quality assurance of learn<strong>in</strong>g,is to be unbureaucratic• the approach should complement <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>tegratewith exist<strong>in</strong>g processes for quality assurance<strong>and</strong> learner <strong>record<strong>in</strong>g</strong>• the staged process is mapped to the NewCommon Inspection Framework <strong>and</strong> shouldencourage effective self-assessment<strong>and</strong> evidence of effective learn<strong>in</strong>g processesat <strong>in</strong>spection.Reduc<strong>in</strong>g bureaucracy37 Providers are encouraged to avoid additionalbureaucracy when implement<strong>in</strong>g RARPA. Exist<strong>in</strong>gsystems for <strong>record<strong>in</strong>g</strong> learner outcomes, end-ofprogrammereview <strong>and</strong> evaluation, <strong>and</strong> self-assessmentmay need to be reviewed. The key goal is m<strong>in</strong>imis<strong>in</strong>gformal documentation whilst ensur<strong>in</strong>g it is fitfor purpose.Fit for purpose38 Short events <strong>and</strong> practical sport <strong>and</strong> recreationalactivities require a different level of <strong>record<strong>in</strong>g</strong> of aims<strong>and</strong> <strong>progress</strong>. This can be simple <strong>and</strong> straightforward.5