How will the F4E Work?
The structure of the F4E is described earlier - 7 Key Performance Areas, within 3 Dimensions.
The performance of providers will be assessed for each of the 7 Key Performance Areas, using performance indicators (PIs). These PIs will be derived from
(a) performance measures combined with
(b) appropriate assessment criteria (which specify the standard for each indicator).
The grades for the Key Performance Areas are aggregated to give grades for the 3 Dimensions of Responsiveness, Effectiveness and Finance.
These 3 grades for the Dimensions will then be used to calculate the single overall performance rating for the college or other provider.
Each PI will be graded on a 4-point scale (as in the Ofsted Common Inspection Framework - CIF).
The specifications of performance indicators will be developed and finalised during the pilot. The final and full specifications will be published in June 2008.
The intention is that the independent and quantitative nature of the F4E will enable the FE system to demonstrate that it is rigorous and effective in its self-regulation. As the Framework describes overall performance, it will also provide an indicator of value for money: a college (or other provider) that is effectively meeting the needs of its customers with efficient use of resources will be considered as value for money.
Assessment against the Framework may be used by the Ofsted inspectorate along with other evidence to determine the level and degree of inspection required. It will also be one of the key tools used by the Quality Improvement Agency (QIA) to identify the support needed for colleges and other providers.
Determining how the QIA and the inspectorate will use the Framework in these ways forms part of the development work prior to full implementation of the Framework.
The grades and ratings will be used by the LSC as part of its planning and funding discussions with colleges and providers. The Framework will also include assessment of the extent to which each colleges provision is directed at national, regional and local priorities - critical to the commissioning process.
It is expected that the grades for the 7 key performance areas will be summarised in colleges and other providers' self-assessment reports, and published in their annual reports.
The intention is that the Framework will minimise bureaucracy for colleges and other providers, as the evidence for each of the key performance areas will be the evidence already collected and analysed by the college for its own planning and development purposes. As the Framework is mapped to the Common Inspection Framework (CIF), the evidence needed for self-assessment against the CIF should form much of the assessment against the Framework for Excellence.
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