Can we discuss this please on your return.

Admin-student <[log in to unmask]> writes:
>Dear Colleagues,
>
>Whilst there are other pressures on us all at the moment, I am sure some
>of you will have already taken a preliminary look at the HESES Guidance
>for the 2003 return, and may have noted the changes made to the
>definition of, and terminology used for, non-completion in Annex D of
>these notes.
>
>In previous years, non-completion has been measured against the final
>assessment for the year of the programme of study "irrespective of the
>outcome of that assessment". Thus, provided a student got to the
>assessment point and undertook it, even if they failed that assessment
>(examination or whatever) they would be counted as a completion. If,
>however, they fell 'by the wayside' before the assessment point and
>therefore did not undertake it, they would be counted as a
>non-completion.
>
>For HESES 2003 there appears to be a change to this, in that the
>significantly revised wording of Annex D now states that "a student who
>fails to complete (that is undergo the final assessment of, OR PASS [my
>caps]) ... is to be returned as a non-completion ...". My interpretation
>of this is that even if they DO get to the assessment point but
>subsequently fail the assessment, they will now count as a
>non-completion. It seems to me that this is the opposite of the previous
>guidance therefore. Am I reading this correctly, or becoming unduly
>concerned?
>
>You will also note that I have " .... " all reference to 'modules' from
>the quoted statement above. The change of definition to "Non-completion
>is defined in terms of modular programmes of study. It applies to all
>institutions, including those that may not consider their programmes to
>be modular" is also one that is taxing me at the moment. I find the
>statement "A student who fails to complete ... any module within the
>year of programme of study is to be returned as a non-completion for ALL
>ACTIVITY [my caps] in that year" hard to comprehend. Given that the
>(current) HEFCE funding model does not fund institutions for
>'non-completion' this definition on the face of it appears to suggest
>that we are now moving to a funding model whereby we will ONLY be funded
>if the student completes, AND passes, ALL elements of their programme
>within the year. Such a move  seems to run counter to the Widening
>Participation agenda and the acknowledged difficulties associated with
>the recruitment of students from 'non-traditional' backgrounds, but
>could be taken as entirely in step with the Government's agenda to come
>down hard on poor progression rates!
>
>I would welcome comments/enlightenment!
>
>Judy
>--
>Judy Evans
>Head of Management Information
>London Metropolitan University
>London North Campus
>166-220 Holloway Road
>London N7 8DB
>
>tel: 020 7133 2006
>fax: 020 7133 2065
>email: [log in to unmask]



Jan Crook
Academic Registrar and Clerk to the Board of Governors
The Surrey Institute of Art & Design, University College
Falkner Road, Farnham
Surrey GU9 7DS
Tel     01252 892603
Fax    01252 892624
e-mail [log in to unmask]