Encyclopedia > Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education
Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education, usually shorted to Advanced VCE or AVCE, is a vocational qualification available in BritishFurther Education institutions.
Subjects and assessment
VCEs are available in many subjects including Information and Communication Technology, Health and Social Care and Hospitality and Management. Many students prefer the vocational system because they can learn more from hands_on work, though others find it difficult to maintain their motivation because of the constant evaluation and coursework.
The qualification was created in September 2000 to replace the Advanced GNVQ, with the main change being that the marking system was altered from the three level Destinction, Merit and Pass system to A–E grading, bringing the AVCE into line with A-Levels.
AVCEs consist of modules, each covering different aspects of the subject. Some of these modules overlap and some institutes choose to virtually merge their content. Students must complete a set number of modules in order to qualify for the three different levels of AVCE:
AVCE Double Award - 12 units (worth two A-levels)
AVCE Single Award - 6 units (worth one A-level)
ASVCE - 3 units (worth one AS-level)
Withdrawal
The regulatory body, Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), along with Welsh equivalent ACCAC, decided in June 2004 to withdraw the Advanced VCE, with the final candidates starting in September 2004. They have created and piloted an "Applied GCE" qualification to replace the AVCE. The GNVQ is still currently available in two forms – Foundation and Intermediate levels – which both work up to the Advanced level, but is also set to be withdrawn in 2007.
The educator is responsible for understanding the renewal process, for initiating contact with the county superintendent for guidance purposes, for completing appropriate credit, and for filing all documents required to maintain a valid certificate.
Additionally, all certificates that are renewed or upgraded from the three-year to five-year or permanent status require the recommendation of the superintendent as well as verification of applicable educational experience or other requirements included in statute or policy of the West Virginia Board of Education.
The educator shall file the application for the renewal of the certificate as soon as the requirements are fulfilled, but not before January 1 of the year in which the certificate will expire.
The height of enrollment in vocationaleducation (voc ed) classes was during the 1970s when approximately 15% of students majored in voc ed.
Vocationaleducation classes tend to be smaller, with an average of 17 students as opposed to 22 in non-vocational classes.
Vocationaleducation programs vary widely in number, type, and diversity of courses offered, in their access to technical and industrial resources, and in the level of exposure they provide students to real-world work environments.
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