Quality Newsletter Learners can expect to be supported academically, vocationally and personally as they progress in their learning journey- Q1 & Q2 2022

WELCOME

Welcome to the Summer 2022 edition of the LWETB Quality Newsletter.

FETQS thank you for your time spent on continuing to deliver quality services within Longford & Westmeath ETB. Your support and commitment to this ongoing process has assisted the FETQS Team to develop and enhance a quality culture within LWETB.

LWETB Culture of Quality

It is important that we continue to maintain and build our quality culture. In building a strong culture, LWETB centres can provide consistency and direction, guide decisions and actions, fuel our centres and help learners, staff and stakeholders reach their potential. The delivery of the 2022 LWETB Self-Evaluation Report highlighted the importance of enhancement and progression.

FETQS are continually interacting, supporting and upholding the quality assured work that occurs in each and every programme and centre within LWETB. By highlighting the LWETB beliefs, values, mission and vision for further education and training we can all be the driving force for quality and play a decisive role in the development of a robust and effective quality system.

QUALITY IN ACTION

QQI Inaugural Review - Karen Moore, FET Standards Officer

LWETB is looking forward to receiving the QQI Review Report. The QQI Review Team will deliver the report in September 2022. This will reflect upon the areas identified below, make recommendations for future focus and highlight areas of good practice that was observed earlier this year within our Further Education and Training Services.

1. LWETB Self-Evaluation Report
2. LWETB Provider Profile
3. Inaugural Review Virtual Visit: April 25th - 29th 2022

Notwithstanding the challenges posed by conducting the review online during these challenging times, LWETB was pleased with the process and wholehearted efforts of our LWETB inaugural review team, learners, staff and stakeholders during the self evaluation process and virtual week visit.

The virtual visit was a whirlwind week for all where up to 120 LWETB individuals met with the QQI Review Team. It was a steep learning curve for the QQI Review Panel to grasp the breadth of our provision and services throughout Longford and Westmeath and to understand the unique and complex environment within which we operate, all in the context of reviewing our quality assurance policies and procedures.

Once we have reviewed the QQI Review Report in September we have a period of time in which we can check for factual accuracies. Once this process has been concluded, the report will assist in our ongoing pursuit for quality enhancement within our FET services.

WORKING TOGETHER

Assessment Handbook

The first draft of the Assessment Handbook has been completed which incorporates many of our new FETQS published policies and procedures. We intend on bringing this through the consultation process from September.

The handbook aims to be a support for educators and will cover areas such as:

• Section 1: Assessment Process
• Section 2: Planning and Conducting Assessment
• Section 3: Learner Supports
• Section 4: Authentication Process
• Section 5: Resources and Supports

Learner Handbook

The first draft of the Learner Handbook has been completed and consulted upon by a selection of individuals from various provisions across FET. This handbook has been well received with valuable input and feedback provided. We plan to put through this handbook through the full consultation process come September.

UPDATES

CAS Modification & Contingency Measures

QQI have informed us that they have further extended the temporary modifications to CAS awards until June 2023.

Module Descriptor Reviews

Many of our LWETB QQI module descriptors require review, updating and enhancing where applicable.

A consultation process has commenced with FE Coordinators to identify minor changes/omissions as well as revalidation requirements. A second phase of this consultation process will take place whereby Coordinators will seek this information from Educators upon the commencement of the new academic year 2022 - 2023.

We will keep you updated on progress with this project.

FETQS New Policies & Procedures

As mentioned in our Q1 2022 Newsletter, FETQS were delighted to officially launch a suite of new FET Policies and Procedures earlier this year. To access these documents, they can be sourced from our LWETB website where they can be found by both Learners and Provision / Stakeholders.

We have now moved on to the next phase in the development of FETQS policies and procedures which will supersede legacy QA systems and will keep you updated on progress.

SUPPORTS & RESOURCES

FETQS Supports

Moving forward FETQS will now be available for provision staff meetings if required and will be providing 'FETQS Clinics' every Thursday throughout September and October.

This support service will provide staff with a dedicated platform to seek information from FETQS on quality related queries they may have.

Assessment Templates

FETQS have completed work with a number of Educators in reviewing & redesigning the assessment briefs for NFQ 1 and 2. There is now a revised assessment brief specifically for NFQ 1 and 2 which will be accessible via the Assessment Supports Teams or through your centre Coordinator from August/Sept, in time for the new academic year 2022-2023.

FESS - PD Opportunities

There are online supports available at all times that are useful for both reference and training purposes. The FESS Autumn/Winter Calendar can be viewed by clicking the link below. There are many offerings including: webinars, training sessions and workshops across a range of topics. We have highlighted a few below which may be of particular interest to Educators.

• An Introduction to Locally Devised Assessment - Thursday, 29th Sept 2022 - 10.00 to 12.00
• Devising Assessment Briefs and Exam Questions (Locally Devised) - Thurs, 6th Oct 2022 - 10.00 to 12.00
• Devising Marking Schemes (Locally Devised) - Thurs, 13th Oct 2022 - 10.00 to 12.00
• Marking Learner Assessment Evidence - Thurs, 20th Oct 2022 - 10.00 to 12.00
• Feedback to Learners on Summative Assessment - Thurs, 27th Oct 2022 - 10.00 to 12.00

Support for our Ukrainian friends

LWETB continue to support the Ukrainian FET Response team. We ran a webinar on using PowerPoint subtitles as a quick and easy way to support inclusion in our classrooms. We are planning more options but this was just to get the ball rolling on this needed initiative. Please take the time to review the video below and keep an eye on the PL & D calendar for future events.

OUT & ABOUT IN LWETB

IQS - Internal Quality Support

FETQS have now completed the scheduled IQS visits for this academic year. We will be allocating dates for any provisions we did not get to and revisit some provisions. As mentioned in our last Newsletter, these visits have given us a great insight into the day to day operations, excellent practices and identified areas where development is needed.

If we have not visited your centre to date, FETQS will be in touch with FET Managers/Coordinators to arrange a suitable date for an IQS session. We appreciate the feedback from all Educators and Coordinators and are using that feedback constructively in aligning supports, resources and training opportunities as required on a centre/provision basis.

GOOD PRACTICE

The above document offers the guidelines at a glance and provides a starting point to become familiar with UDL principles and the guidelines.

UDL for FET Practitioners: Summary Version

UDL for FET Infographic at a glance two page document explain UDL and its benefits for FET

To find out more see the ETBI Digital Library section on UDL

For more details of training events around UDL series of webinars from ETBI see LWETB Professional Learning & Development Calendar.

The FETQS Team and our Quality Governance Groups would like to wish you a lovely Summer break and look forward to seeing you all in the new academic year.

If you have any questions or queries on any of the content above, please feel free to contact us by emailing fetqs@lwetb.ie