TVETipedia Glossary

Level descriptor

A definition of the characteristics of a qualification that would lead to it being assigned to a particular level.

Source:
ILO, An Introductory Guide to National Qualifications Frameworks, 2007
ILO, An Introductory Guide to National Qualifications Frameworks, 2007
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(Glossary starting p. 63)
"There are surprisingly few documents which spell out, in a practical way, what an NQF can achieve realistically, what are the preconditions and potential pitfalls and how it can be developed. NQFs have been much discussed and with much enthusiasm, but it may be questioned whether their technical and institutional complexity are well understood.
This Guide attempts to respond to these concerns, and by doing so, to assist policy makers in making informed judgments as to whether and how they can pursue the development of an NQF in meeting the specific needs of their training systems."

A statement describing learning achievement at a particular level of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) that provides a broad indication of the types of learning outcomes and assessment criteria that are appropriate to a qualification at that level.

Source:
SAQA (South Africa), TVET Standard Glossary of Terms, 2013
SAQA (South Africa), TVET Standard Glossary of Terms, 2013
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This standard glossary of terms defines and clarifies the core terminology relating to the development and implementation of the South African National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
As a direct result of the many changes in the education and training landscape between 1995 and 2013, a wide range of terminology and definitions have emerged, often causing confusion and leading to ambiguity in the system. This glossary has been developed to bring consistency to the use of terminology in the broader education and training context, including legislation, policy and everyday usage by the public.

Set of statements that describe the levels of a qualification framework in terms of progressive stages of achievement and complexity

Source:
SADC, Glossary, 2011
SADC, Glossary, 2011
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(Glossary starting p. 26)
Concept Paper and Implementation Plan for the SADC Regional Qualifications Framework (Original document developed by the SADC Technical Committee on Certification and Accreditation in Maseru in 2005. This is an updated and amended version of the original document).

A statement, using learning outcomes, that describes learning achievement at a particular level of a qualifications framework and that provides a broad indication of the types of learning that are appropriate to a qualification at that level.

Source:
UNESCO, Level-setting and recognition of learning outcomes: The use of level descriptors in the twenty-first century, 2015
UNESCO, Level-setting and recognition of learning outcomes: The use of level descriptors in the twenty-first century, 2015
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Description of the report:
"The aim of this research is to support a broader initiative that will explore the possibility of developing international guidelines on quality assurance for the recognition of qualifications based on learning outcomes, including a set of world reference levels to facilitate the international recognition of qualifications."
Description of the glossary (pp 189 ff):
"The definitions of this glossary are provided by the authors, drawing on a wide range of literature in the field, and in particular the cited references for this publication. They do not necessarily coincide with official positions of UNESCO."