7.0 Recommendations
It is recommended that:
1. Government and stakeholders note, welcome and build on the support for the development of such an instrument among CLD managers, workers and participants.
2. All stakeholders
(a) note the strong feedback that participants enjoyed the process of self-reflection and the opportunity to build skills in this area;
(b) provide further opportunities to undertake such reflection.
3. Learning Connections, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire undertake further analysis of the volume of data available from the test in order to maximise the available information for the two pilot sites.
4. Learning Connections, CLD managers and workers, promote understanding of the instrument as it develops as being of use as part of a series of activities that support evidence of CLD outcomes. The instrument should be complementary to work which seeks to demonstrate the relationship of inputs and processes to the outcomes of CLD.
5. Learning Connections and other stakeholders, including CLD Partnerships, note that despite the constraints of the study, the instrument appears to be a valid measure of CLD outcomes and as such should be further developed.
6. Learning Connections and associated stakeholders, including CLD Partnerships, acknowledge that this pilot suggests the instrument is a valid and interesting way of evidencing change and as such there is merit in supporting the further development of the instrument, subject to some improvements and complementary research (set out above and below).
7. The adapted instrument should be subject to further development with the inclusion of stakeholders and again be tested but on a national scale, with adjustments that include:
- direct linkage to the SOAs, National Performance Framework indicators and targets
- a more sensitive measurement scale, which will provide clearer information on the distance travelled
- fewer questions
- a longer lead-in period to promote understanding of the benefits by CLD participants and very local staff (including sessional staff)
- varied language for different groupings
- a longer period for completion
- a longer period and additional resources for the analysis of the data across a range of demographic information
- additional resources for the use of stronger graphic design and IT support to create a more stimulating experience for respondents
- a facility for on-line respondents to have instant feedback from their completion
- the options for worker support for those with literacy considerations
- revised arrangements for the collection of demographic information.
8. Learning Connections undertake research that seeks to demonstrate the relationship between outcomes, inputs and processes, including the longitudinal study noted as under consideration in the brief for this research and recommended by the PIP group.
9. The research requirements highlighted for CLD as part of this study are raised with and supported by analytical services within the Government's Lifelong Learning Directorate.