Removal of the Curriculum Balance Factor from the 2016 BTEC suite

Historically, the overall Quality Indicator score for BTECs has had a Curriculum Balance Factor applied to it to take into account the variation in subject value-added scores of the BTEC courses. 

The way in which we now construct our benchmarks for the newer BTECs has meant that the balance factor has become a measure which is adversely affecting a high number of providers. We have therefore taken the decision to remove it from your overall 2016 BTEC analysis.

The removal of the balance factor has taken effect from the examination gradepoint for this summer's results - your 2021/22 examination gradepoint. All monitoring gradepoints going forward will have had the balance factor removed. 

We will carry out the full removal of the balance factor in two stages. 

Stage 1: present situation - the balance factor has been set to zero across Connect, Connect exports and your BTEC Provider reports. 

Note: these changes apply to Summit users and will also be applied to Group Reports. 

Below is an example of the strategic page showing the QI calculation. Note the fact that there is now wording to alert you to the fact that the CBF is now zero. 

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Stage 2: work will be carried our across 2022/23 Academic Year - we will completely remove the balance factor across all associated tabs in the strategic section of Connect and all relevant pages in the exports and BTEC Provider reports. 

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