The 157 Group has commented on today’s response from the government to the recent consultation on developing and using a set of outcome-based success measures.
Dr Lynne Sedgmore CBE, executive director of the 157 Group, said, “We are pleased that the government seems to have listened to our view – and that of many in the skills system – that, while developing these measures will give a fuller picture of the real impact of Further Education, we must take time before deciding how they should be used in any future accountability systems.
“History teaches us that allying such systems to underdeveloped data too swiftly leads to unintended consequences and, sometimes, game-playing, and we would much rather see the development of a ‘basket of measures’ which, quite apart from giving an indication of institutional performance, also enables Colleges, other providers and employers to gain a better understanding of what we are currently doing.
“We look forward to informing next year’s more detailed consultation on these issues.”