Do we need an LLND test?

One of the frequent questions we're hearing in response to Outcome Standard 2.2: "Do we need to do an LLND test?"

The following steps out the answer.

The 'Outcome Standards' are a new legislative instrument for the VET sector

Outcome Standard 2.2.1 states:

"VET students are advised, prior to enrolment, about the suitability of the training product for them, taking into account the student’s skills and competencies."

The underlying performance indicators go on to require an RTO demonstrates:

2.2.2a - "taking into account the requirements of the training product – it has procedures in place to review, prior to enrolment, the skills and competencies of prospective VET students, including their language, literacy and numeracy proficiency and digital literacy"

2.2.2b - "based upon the outcome of the review – it provides advice to each prospective VET student about whether the training product is suitable for them"

At the mention of this phrase from 2.2.2a "review, prior to enrolment, the skills and competencies of prospective VET students, including their language, literacy and numeracy proficiency and digital literacy", many RTOs are thinking this means they are required to administer LLND testing to all students prior to enrolment.

However, think of the purpose of an LLN and/or an LLND and/or a digital literacy test. What does the test actually tell you?

It's probably going to come back with a result of how - based on their responses - the student is positioned on the particular framework or scale that underpins the test. E.g., that a student has reading skills at ACSF level 3, and numeracy skills at ACSF level 2 etc.

This is good information and handy to know, but, what does it actually tell you about whether or not the training product is suitable for the student?

Answer: Nothing.

Unless you know what skills and competencies are required to undertake the course, including the skills and competencies required to access and engage with the course content because of the way your RTO delivers it. Only then, can you make some kind of determination about the student's skills and competencies in comparison with those identified as required.

An LLN or LLND test might be one way your RTO decides to gather information about the student's skills and competencies so that they can be reviewed prior to enrolment. The RTO may use other suitable methods. There is nothing in the Outcome Standards that says the review must be done using an LLND test. Having said that, tests are often pre-mapped to framework levels and can be relatively easy to administer at scale.

Whatever method your RTO decides to use to demonstrate meeting the requirements of Outcome Standard 2.2, ensure it:

• Is robust

• Is justifiable

• Is scalable

• Is repeatable

• Covers more than just language, literacy and numeracy proficiency and digital literacy

The exact wording at 2.2.2a is "taking into account the requirements of the training product – it has procedures in place to review, prior to enrolment, the skills and competencies of prospective VET students, including their language, literacy and numeracy proficiency and digital literacy". The 'including' signifies that if you are only reviewing a student's LLND skills, you are falling short of the requirements. See our recent article explaining this in more detail.

Further, if you rest on administering an LLND test, you've only met part of the Outcome Standard.

What about the requirements of the training product? You have to know these.

What about the other necessary skills and competencies besides LLND? You have to be able to articulate to students what other skills and competencies they may require and what else they may require because of the way the course is delivered. This means, you have to know how changes in delivery and/or assessment methodology may impact skills and competencies required and therefore, the information that must be provided to students.

The diagram below gives an overview of the process underpinning actions linked to Outcome Standard 2.2. An LLND test falls in at #3 - noting it's only part of #3.

An LLND test is only part of the full requirements of Outcome Standard 2.2

So, to answer the question "do we need to do LLND tests?", no. You don't have to.

You do, however, need to review the student's skills and competencies including their LLND proficiencies. And an LLND test might be part of the way your RTO decides to do this.

Related product: Template: Analysis for Student Skills Requirements (inc. LLND)

-This article is AITA Scale Rating 1

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