Anything about Alternative Learning System (ALS) Accreditation & Equivalency ( A & E) Program of the Department of Education (DepEd)

of the Philippines.

Alternative Learning System is a ladderized, modular non-formal education program in the Philippines for dropouts in elementary and secondary schools, out-of-school youths, non-readers, working Filipinos and even senior citizens. It is part of the education system of the Philippines but an alternative to the regular classroom studies where Filipino students are required to attend daily. The alternative system only requires students to choose schedules according to their choice and availability. Y The program has two different schematics for conducting instruction; school-based and community-based. On the school-based program, instructions are conducted in school campuses while in the community-based program, formal instruction are conducted in community halls or on private places. The ALS program follows a uniform lesson modules for all academic subjects covering the sciences, mathematics, English, Filipino, social studies, current events among others. Delivery of instructions are provided by government-paid instructors or by private nongovernment organization. Aside from schematics, the program has two levels; elementary and secondary. Students have to start from elementary level, then proceed to high school level. If a student is a graduate of elementary under a formal classroom system, the student is automatically admitted to the secondary levels depending on which year level the student stopped schooling.

Administration
Program administration is held by the Department of Education, an agency of the government of the Philippines in charged in providing education to all Filipinos. Private non-government organization may deliver the program but still under the supervision of the Philippine education agency. After finishing the curriculum, all participants of the program belonging to a particular education district are given the final comprehensive examinations covering all subject areas in the curriculum. Successful examinees are then grouped together in a closing ceremony where they given their certificate of completion either for the elementary or secondary level.

Levels

Elementary

If a student has never reach the first grade, the student will be admitted in the Grade 1 level with the corresponding module of instruction given. The students has to finish all the modules for the first grade level and pass assessment test before proceeding to the next level. After successfully finishing all the modules, the students are given the comprehensive examinations prior to admission in the graduation.

High School

The procedure for the secondary level is the same as the elementary level. Once the student is graduated in the secondary level, he or she may opt to enroll in the tertiary level without need for attending in the formal classroom system, hence the name alternative learning system. Normally, under the education system of the Philippines, no student is allowed to enter tertiary level of education without high school diploma. The alternative system is the other path and opportunity to access vocational technology or college education in the Philippines.

Coverage
The program covers mostly among dropouts in elementary and secondary schools, out-of-school youths, non-readers, working people and even senior citizens wanting to read and write. Students enrolled under the classroom-system are disallowed to participate in the program. Age level, economic and personal circumstances are among the determinants in availing the program.

Formal education versus alternative learning system

The Alternative Learning System evolve from the non-formal education that has been conducted by the government of the Philippines. Previously, non-formal education was mostly concentrated in instructions in livelihood skills training with basic reading and writing incorporated in the module. Under the current system, skills training and livelihood training have been excluded and established as a separate education system. Skills training had become a stand-alone program with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Philippines) taking charge of the program. The Alternative Learning System is a way for the informal and busy students to achieve elementary and high school education without need of going to attend classroom instructions on a daily basis just like the formal education system. Secondary education has now become a prerequisite in vocational technology and college education in the Philippines. Livelihood trainings however, do not need formal or non-formal education in the Philippines.

Philippine Alternative Learning System (ALS) for drop-outs and out of school youth
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. 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. Manny Pacquiao took and passed the (AET) under the ALS program. He was presented a high school diploma, making eligible to pursue college. After getting a certificate upon passing, the students have the option to enroll in ALS again or go to a college. I have learners who are maids, fishermen, and babysitters, and a saleslady, In fact, they do not even have to go to class five times a week to finish high school. Participants of eSkwela just sit in front of a computer for about three hours a week. They learn according to their need and speed. The eSkwela has five main learning strands: Communication skills, critical thinking and problem solving, sustainable use of resources and productivity, development of self and a sense of community, and expanding ones world vision. Each student in every session uses a computer loaded with digital modules with videos and animation. A teacher called facilitator helps students navigate the digital modules and monitors his/her progress to determine if the learner is ready for the A&E.

There are two ways in which you can take the Alternative Learning System, through the modules (and just months of classroom preparation for the test?) and through the Internet (with also just months of classroom with the computers as preparation for the test). For more information about the latter: click here . The latter is called the eSkwela project - the computer-based way of taking the ALS - but I've read that there are no elementary e-modules yet, so the eSkwela for elementary school solely is not yet available.

Alternative Learning System and Home Schooling Programs in The Philippines

by bryeunade in Education, August 18, 2010

A guide to alternative learning system and home schooling programs in the Philippines.

Having my wife as a public school mobile teacher, I have learned a lot about ones need for an education and how it affects the well being of an individual especially in the early stages of their development. There is no doubt that education is the most basic requirement to succeed in life. This is why most developing countries list education as their top priority in as far as government service is concerned. Our understanding of acquiring education is usually through formal school where learning takes place in classrooms through teacher and pupil discussion. But there are alternative approaches that parents or an individual can consider aside from formal school depending on what type of situation they find themselves in. First of which are programs for out-of-school youths. Many of todays youths go through the pressure of progressing through the educational pipeline oftentimes unable to handle these challenges due to family problems or financial difficulties. As a result they often drop out of formal school. Out-of-youth programs are aimed at integrating these drop-outs back into formal school . Read more in Education The Importance of Reading Programs The Graduate Tax Alternative Learning System In the Philippines, such program is called the Alternative Learning System or ALS. Teachers that are involved in this program are called Mobile Teachers for reasons that they often go about teaching in rural and depressed areas where a majority of their clientele can be found. Included in this program are unemployed adults, industry based undergraduate workers, members of cultural minorities, persons with disabilities/physically challenged, inmates, rebels and soldiers. Learning usually takes place in barangay halls or community learning centers.

Home Schooling Another method one can consider is through home schooling. Home schooling are usually considered by parents who opt to teach their kids on a one on one basis for various reason. Home schooling though is not that simple and a lot of parents should consider several things before making the decision. Having the patience to teach ones child is on top of the list as kids dont usually behave well when their parents are the ones teaching them. Another is socialization. School proper offers more activity for a child to engage in to socialize with others. Nevertheless, many parents still consider this method.

Home schooling in the Philippines is something new. For accreditation purposes, a home schooling clientele must go to the DepEd office for validation or they may choose to enroll in a recognized school of the Department of Education. Many universities and catholic organizations are now offering programs for home schooling. For more list of homeschooling programs in the Philippines go to: http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Homeschooling_and_open_universities_in_the_Philip pines#Homeschooling_programs_in_the_Philippines The need for education is a basic right for every individual to succeed in life regardless of what status they belong to in society.

Read more: http://socyberty.com/education/alternative-learning-system-and-home-schoolingprograms-in-the-philippines/#ixzz2JLjhRoy6

The process of integration starts with the students attending a 10 month learning and review session conducted by the Mobile Teacher. After completion, performance are assessed in preparation for the Accreditation and Equivalency Test (or A&E) that will be given to these students. Passers 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 be integrated into formal education and also gives them the chance to enroll for a college degree or in technical and vocational courses.

Read more: http://socyberty.com/education/alternative-learning-system-and-home-schoolingprograms-in-the-philippines/#ixzz2JLjSyeUk