As

a child, the way of life is to learn. As an adult the way of life is to teach. And as a teacher the way of life is to make the student better than you. -Sensei Jon S.,Age 17 New York

ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM

Presented by: Josephine P. Riego

What is ALS
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.

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 dropouts; 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.

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.

> Meet the learners individually at least 3x a week at 1 hr./meeting= 3hrs./wk .at any agreed venue. > Meet the learners by group at least once a month at 3hrs./meeting.

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.

The test is divided into 2 parts: the Multiple Choice Test and the Composition Writing. The test runs for 3 hours and 30 minutes for the Elementary Level and 4 hours and 55 minutes for the Secondary Level.

The test covers the five Learning Strands (subject areas) of the ALS Curriculum: Elementary Level: 3 hours and 30 minutes Multiple Choice = 3 hours Kasanayang Pangkomunikasyon, 40 items, 40 minutes Matematika at Agham, 40 items, 60 minutes Kabuhayan at Likas na Yaman, 40 items, 40 minutes Pagpapalawak ng Pananaw, 40 items, 40 minutes Composition Writing = 30 minutes

Secondary Level: 4 hours and 15 minutes Multiple Choice = 3 hours Kasanayang Pangkomunikasyon, 50 items, 45 minutes English Communication Skills, 50 items, 30 minutes Matematika at Agham, 50 items, 60 minutes Kabuhayan at Likas na Yaman, 50 items, 45 minutes Pagpapalawak ng Pananaw, 50 items, 45 minutes Composition Writing = 30 minutes

An A&E Test passer gets the following documents: * Certification & Examinee Report Form integrated in one whole page signed by the Director IV of the Bureau of Alternative Learning System; get from the ALS Supervisor of the DepEd Division Office where the Registration and Testing Center is located; in January 2011 * Diploma - A one-page (portrait in layout) document signed by the Secretary of the Department of Education, bearing the Dry Seal of the Office of the Secretary, get from the ALS Supervisor of the DepEd Division Office where the Registration and Testing Centers is located.

The ALS caters those who cannot go to school learn or who do not want to go to school to learn The ALS clientele include those who have never attended school and those who have dropped out of school due to lack of school in the community, the need to work, lack of money, discrimination, disability etc.

1.The learning programs 2.The setting for learning 3.The teacher 4.The age of the leaner 5.The curriculum 6.The learning materials 7.The teaching methodology 8.Assessment of learning

*nonformal education (NFE) is any organized, systematic educational activity carried outside the framework of the formal system to provide selected types of learning to a segment of population *informal education is a life long process of learning by which every person acquires and accumulates knowledge, skills, attitudes, and insights from daily experiences at home, at work, at play, and from life itself. *alternative learning system is a parallel learning system that provides a viable alternative to the existing formal education system. It encompasses both the nonformal and informal sources of knowledge and skills. *basic education is the education intended to meet basic learning needs and which lays the foundation on which subsequent learning can be based. It encompasses early childhood , elementary and high school education as well as alternative learning systems for children, OSY and adult learners for those with special needs.

Basic education early childhood educ. (kindergarten) and elementary education (Grade 1-6) and secondary education (1st4th year) and ALS (for out of school age children, youth, adults and those with special needs) Alternative Learning System Nonformal education (NFE) and Informal Education (Ied)

BASIC EDUCATION
FORMAL EDUCATION

ALS

LIFE SKILLS/LIFELONG LEARNING

*EMPLOYMENT *SELF ACTUALIZATION *SOCIAL PARTICIPATION

HIGHER EDUCATION PAST SECONDARY EDUCATION SECONDARY EDUCATION ELEMENTARY EDUCATION

Flexible entry and re-entry & exit in both streams thru a system of *Comparability
*Accreditation *Certification *Testing

Higher skills Middle level skills Basic and Functional skills

FORMAL EDUCATION

ALS

FORMAL EDUCATION

Basic literacy Program *For illiterates Accreditation & Equivalency Program (A&E) *for drop-outs of elementary and secondary levels

Elementary Programs Grades 1-6 Secondary Programs 1st-4th year

FORMAL EDUCATION

Community

Learning Centers

SCHOOLS

FORMAL EDUCATION

Called a facilitator Must be trained in ALS Must be a college graduate (for A&E program) Must be a HS graduate or even less (for the literacy program)

*Called a class room teacher *Must be a licensed/professional teacher *Must be an Education graduate, BSEd/BSEEd

FORMAL EDUCATION

Age is prescribed for every school level Starting w/ 6 yrs. old (for grade 1) & up to 15 yrs. old (for 4th yr. HS)

No age is prescribed

FORMAL EDUCATION
Alternative Learning System Curriculum WITH PARALLEL With 5 learning strands *Communication skills *Critical thinking and Problem Solving *Sustainable Use of Resources/Productivity *Development of self and a sense of community *Expanding ones world vision

BASIC Education Curriculum

COMPETENCIES With 5 major subjects *English *Filipino *Science *Math *Makabayan

FORMAL EDUCATION

Modules that are:

Self-Paced Self-instructional Indigenous Integrated

Textbooks w/c are teacher-facilitated

FORMAL EDUCATION

Use of Andragogy

*science of Adult Learning

Use of Pedagogy *science of Learning among children

ABL test (for the Basic Literacy Program A&E test (for the accreditation and equivalency program

FORMAL EDUCATION End-of-the-year achievement test for all grade and high school levels