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This Lsect update is a provider data special

NEWS FLASH : Biggest change to provider data since 2002
Last Friday the information authority confirmed (after a longer than anticipated wait) that for 2011/12 the various Individualised Learner Record (ILR) flat files (ER, LR etc) will be replaced by a Single Restructured Learner Record (SRLR ~ although the final name has not yet been decided). Read the information authority news item here: http://tinyurl.com/67zma5c

Whilst attending the information authority software suppliers meeting last Thursday I was so excited I broke all meeting etiquette and tweeted a picture of the agenda!: http://twitpic.com/3rpjr5

XML to replace the flat-file
The new SRLR will be in Extensible Markup Language (XML), which is used by schools and other government departments. Wiki says “XML’s design goals emphasize simplicity, generality, and usability over the internet.” Read more about XML here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XML

This presentation about XML by John Perks, Head of the information authority, may also be useful: http://tinyurl.com/66a4rtu

You may also be interested in this update and provider impact assessment from the 1st December 2010 information authority board meeting: http://tinyurl.com/67rykro and http://tinyurl.com/63hmpep

Data Collection Systems to be ‘re-platformed’
The Data Service has also confirmed that a number of systems used by providers will be re-platformed and streamlined as part of a ‘multi-year project’. This will lead to the replacement of PIMS, OLDC, POL, IPOL, LIS and LAD systems.

The main long-term benefit (it is hoped) will be to reduce the dependence on costly bespoke software and consultants, but it “will also support the information authority’s move to a single, restructured learner record which the Data Service will incorporate into the data collection process.” Read the Data Service news item here: http://tinyurl.com/6kcxbvw

Note: the plan for 2011/12 is that the Learner Information Suite (LIS) will be able to convert existing flat files into an XML ILR format and will validate both existing and XML format files.

The LAD goes under the knife
As part of the changes above, the Learning Aim Database (LAD) will under-go Gender Reassignment Surgery (GRS) to become the Learning Aims Reference Application (LARA). It is hoped that LARA will be cheaper, flexible and have a “more user friendly appearance” than the LAD (http://tinyurl.com/67zma5c).

The Personal Learning Record is not so FAB
It seemed clear from a 15th November 2010 information authority board meeting that the Learning Records Service (LRS) at the SFA needed help persuading Awarding Organisations (AOs) to voluntarily engage with the new PLR online systems. Read the board meeting paper here: http://tinyurl.com/5wcntbw

Clearly this has proved more difficult than had been hoped, as last Friday the front page of FE Focus screamed: “‘Serious concerns’ over online learner records ~ database could jeopardise ‘sensitive’ information, the Federation of Exam Boards (FAB) warn.” Read the full article here: http://tinyurl.com/6cfaxw5

Whilst the SFA spokesperson said they were “not aware of any mistakes or glitches”, unless the big AOs choose or are forced to participate, the future of the PLR must be looking increasingly fragile.

ESF bureaucracy debuts in the tabloids
Last Friday and over the weekend both the Daily Mail and the Mirror ran stories about ESF bureaucracy, but not for the reasons you might have guessed. No mention was made of straight bananas nor the complex audit regime (and thus paperwork trail) required by ‘foreigners’ (i.e. European Union) for those in receipt of ESF funding. Have a read for yourself what all the fuss was about: http://tinyurl.com/6bqv6dj and http://tinyurl.com/6kzh793

Never one to miss an opportunity to plug an Lsect event, perhaps Tribal Education would benefit from the reputation management session at the College Media and PR Conference on the 8th March 2011 in London: http://tinyurl.com/5wtv86h . Book your place now or pass on the link to your Marketing and PR Manager, please :-)

Of course, whomever you believe there is still plenty of paperwork out there, as any provider caught up in the State Aid rules will tell you (http://tinyurl.com/38qpc4n).

The burden of provider data requirements
Do you remember David Willets telling the AoC Annual Conference in November 2009 that if in power he would strip away vast amounts of bureaucracy and enable colleges to employ far fewer data collection staff? (refresh you memory ~ seventh paragraph from the end ~ here: http://tinyurl.com/5ufuzb3).

You may also recall an article about data and bureaucracy that I wrote after the College Data Conference in June 2010 (http://tinyurl.com/3aojhbw), which was then picked up in the FE Focus (http://tinyurl.com/6jpxz39). It was clear then that most people working with college data actually expected the demands to rise.

What would be useful is to hear more from the information authority, Data Service and Learning Records Service about how all the data changes announced last week will reduce the burden for providers, as promised by David Willets before taking office. Luckily, the Spring College Data Conference on the 3rd of March presents a perfect opportunity to hear from these agencies, and get your questions answered (http://tinyurl.com/6ykmvxw).

The Spring College Data Conference ~ book now
Bookings (not in XML) have been coming in thick and fast for attendance at the Spring College Data Conference in London on the 3rd March 2011. We will hear a lot more about all the topics in this Lsect Update from the Heads of the information authority, Data Service and Learning Records Service. Karl (the helmet) Bently, lead auditor from RSM Tenon, will also be covering audit risks associated with sub-contracting (which is more important than ever given the introduction of Minimum Contract Levels) and Ofsted will be providing the latest insight into data credibility and inspection outcomes. Miss it and miss out :-) http://tinyurl.com/CDC-03-03-11

Kind regards,

Nick
www.twitter.com/nicklinford