Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 28
28
Accepted
Paragraph: 102
Address urgent concerns regarding T Level dropout rates, accessibility, employer interest, and regional availability.
Recommendation
The evidence we have so far from the roll out of T Levels reveals major concerns that must be addressed as the programme moves forward. Around one-fifth of the first T Level cohort are estimated to have dropped out. Concerns have been raised that T Levels are less accessible and less manageable for some groups, including lower attaining students, ethnic minority students and students with SEND. On top of this, despite T Levels being developed with the input of 250 leading employers, the DfE’s own research shows that almost two-thirds of employers are not yet interested in providing a T Level replacement, and that where interest exists it appears to have declined. There are also many areas of the country where there are not yet enough employers near to colleges in regional, rural and left behind areas to accommodate learners on T Level placements. The Department must address these concerns as a matter of urgency to ensure the success of the programme.
Government Response Summary
The government highlights positive T-Level feedback and ongoing efforts, including developing a T-Level Transition Programme for access, implementing partial attainment recognition for non-completers from Summer 2023, and existing disadvantage funding for supporting disadvantaged students and those with SEND.
Paragraph Reference:
102
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
Following the introduction of T Levels in 2020, feedback from both students and providers has been positive. Of the outcomes achieved by learners in receipt of results for a T Level in the academic year 2021/22, the percentage of learners achieving a ‘Pass’ or above for their overall T Level grade was 92.2%. The Committee also has an interest in the T Level Transition Programme, which we are continuing to develop to support access to T Levels for young people. The Department wants to ensure that the T Level Transition Programme supports access to T Levels for those young people taking it as a progression pathway to a T Level. The DfE is also taking forward work on recognising attainment for those students who do not complete the T Level for whatever reason. If a student leaves their course early or does not pass all elements of their T Level, we want to make sure that they are recognised for the elements of a T Level they have achieved. Therefore, there are already arrangements in the programme which enable students to be recognised for their attainment. Statements of Achievement are issued to students which officially confirm which of the requirements a student has met. These Statements have value for students looking to enter employment or continue their studies. Additionally, for higher education, we have agreed with UCAS a tariff allocation for separate elements of the Technical Qualification: an allocation for students that have passed the Core and completed the Industry Placement, and an allocation for students that have passed the Occupational Specialism and completed the Industry Placement. This will be applicable to all students for confirmation and clearing from Summer 2023 onwards. This change will support students to access HE courses if they did not achieve the full programme. In the 16–19 funding formula, disadvantage funding is made up of 2 blocks: one to account for students’ economic deprivation, and one to account for low prior attainment in English and maths, which is also a proxy for support needed by students with low to moderate levels of special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Currently, like the rest of the formula driven allocation, this may be used flexibly; that is, providers are free to choose the best ways to use this additional funding to attract, retain and support disadvantaged students and those with learning difficulties and disabilities.