Alternative Learning System

The Alternative Learning System (ALS) is a free education program implemented by the Department of Education (DepEd) under the Bureau of Alternative Learning System which benefits those who cannot afford formal schooling and follows whatever is their available schedule. The program provides a viable alternative to the existing formal education instruction, encompassing both the non-formal and informal sources of knowledge and skills.
Contents

1 Objective 2 How does it work 3 ALS A&E Test 4 Reference 5 Citation

Objective
ALS aims to open more educational opportunities for Filipino citizens of different interests, capabilities of demographic characteristics, socioeconomic origins and status as well as addressing the needs of marginalized groups. The program cuts the time needed to finish high school, hence, significantly cuts the expenses as well. Aside from giving hope to the less fortunate, it also provides opportunities to Out-of-School Youths (OSY) and adults elementary and secondary school drop-outs; industry-based workers; housewives; maids; factory workers; drivers; members of cultural minorities; indigenous people and the disabled/physically challenged. Training for instructional managers and coordinators are also provided by the program and supports the learners accreditation and equivalency (A&E) review.

How does it work

In ALS, students have to attend 10 months of school or 800 hours in the classroom. Then their performance are then assessed. Since ALS is a module-based learning system, students come in on a set time and choose a module to read. A quiz is given after each module to test their learning. Instead of teachers, facilitators are always present to answer any questions and sometimes lecturers would discuss a certain module.

After several months, the students will take the Accreditation and Equivalency Test (AET). If they pass the test, they will be given a high school diploma and can now enroll in college.

ALS A&E Test

The ALS Accreditation and Equivalency ALS A&E test aims to offer learners two learning achievements at two learning levels-- Elementary and Secondary. It is a paper and pencil-based test, using multiple choice and composition writing. The test items are based on the learning competencies of the five learning strands of the ALS Curriculum. A first year high school dropout, boxing champion, Manny Pacquiao took and passed the (AET) under the ALS program. He was presented a high school diploma, making eligible to pursue college. He was then named as the DepEd's Ambassador for the ALS and Peoples Champ for Education. According to Education Secretary, Jesli Lapus, "Manny is an excellent model for all out-of-school children, youth and adults who are determined to learn and are able to gain functional literacy skills outside of formal schooling."

What are the legal bases of the Alternative Learning System? Constitution of the Philippines 1987, Art. XIV, Sec. 15 Executive Order No. 117 Sec. 115 DepEd Order No. 32, 1972 Proclamation No. 480 DECS Memo No. 204, 2. 1998 DECS Order Nos. 22 and 28, s. 1999 What is the ALS Accreditation and Equivalency Test? The ALS A&E Test formerly the Nonformal Education A&E Test is one of the four components of the ALS A&E (then NFE A&E). It offers the successful test takers certification of learning achievements at two learning levels Elementary and Secondary that is comparable to the formal school system. The ALS A&E Tests in both levels are standardized paper and pencil-based tests and use multiple-choice test and composition

writing. The test items are based on the learning competencies of the five learning strands of the ALS Curriculum. Who are the target clienteles of the ALS A&E Test? The target learners / clienteles of the ALS A&E Test are Filipino Out-of-School Youth (OSY) and Adults at least 11 years old (for elementary level test) and at least 15 years old (for the secondary level test) who are basically literate. They may include: unemployed/underemployed OSYs and adults elementary and secondary school drop-outs/leavers industry-based workers, housewives, maids, factory workers, drivers members of cultural minorities / indigenous peoples persons with disabilities / physically challenged inmates, rebel / soldier integrees Most of these target learners live below the poverty line, predominantly coming from depressed, disadvantaged, underserved communities. What does a prospective test taker do to prepare himself / herself for the test? A test taker may either be a learner/attendee or completer of the ALS A&E Learning Support Delivery (LSDS) System, a learning intervention designed to help equip the prospective test taker with the necessary competencies to prepare him/her for the test. The test is largely based on prior learning. Through the test, and OSY is still encouraged to attend the learning interventions to upgrade his/her knowledge and skills acquired from experiences What does one benefit after passing the ALS A&E Test? A test passer of either the Elementary or Secondary Level gets a certificate which bears the signature of the Secretary of the Department of Education. This allows a passer to mainstream in the educational system of the country. It offers him/her the following opportunities:

enroll in post secondary courses (technical / vocational, two / four / fiveyear course) of the CHED (for private colleges and universities) and PASUC (for government owned / controlled) member institutions; access to MFI and TESDA skills training programs; and acquire eligibility for government employment positions. What is the ALS A&E Test made of? The test is divided into 2 parts: the Multiple Choice Tests and the Composition Writing. The test runs for 3 hours and 30 minutes for the Elementary Level and 4 hours and 15 minutes for the Secondary Level. The test covers the following strands (subject areas): ELEMENTARY : 3 hours and 30 minutes Multiple Choice - 3 hours Bahagi I (Communication) - 40 minutes Bahagi II (Problem Solving & Critical Thinking - 60 minutes Bahagi III (Sustainable Use of Resources & Productivity) - 40 minutes Bahagi IV (Devt. of Self & Expanding Ones World Vision) - 40 minutes Composition Writing - 30 minutes SECONDARY : Multiple Choice ss - 45 minutes - 30 minutes

Bahagi I (Komunikasyon sa Filipino) Bahagi II (English Communication)

Bahagi III (Problem Solving & Critical Thinking) - 60 minutes Bahagi IV (Sustainable Use of Resources & Productivity) - 45 minutes Bahagi V (Devt. of Self & Expanding Ones Wold Vision) - 45 minutes Composition Writing -

How does one register for the A&E Test? For the next ALS A&E Test (to be held on February 2008), registration will be held from September 3, 2007 up to November 23, 2007. The prospective test taker / registrant shall accomplish the registration form and shall: provide any of the following documents as proof of their identity: copy of birth certificate copy of marriage contract form 137 voters ID postal ID TIN card drivers license passport provide all required data and affix their signature on the space provided it; provide two copies of their latest 1 x 1 photo; submit accomplished registration form to test registration officer; and get the lower portion of the registration form for presentation to the Examiner on the day of the test. Where does one take the A&E Test? When is the test? A prospective test taker shall register at designated registration centers nationwide. List of these centers will be posted on this site on or before August 25, 2007. Qualified test takers shall come back to the same venue for the administration of the A&E Test on the following dates: Area Covered Date of Test Regions IX, X, XI, XII, Caraga and ARMM February 3, 2008 Regions V, VI, VII and VIII February 10, 2008

Regions I, II, III and CAR February 17, 2008 Regions IV-A, IV-B and NCR February 24, 2008 For further information, you may: Call (02)635-5188, 635-5193 and 632-1361 loc.2083 Text at our DETxt Action Center at 0919-4560027 Email to depedbals@yahoo.com Write The Director IV Bureau of Alternative Learning System (BALS), 3rdFloor Mabini Bldg., DepEd Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City 1600