Validation is defined as the quality review of the assessment process. It involves checking that the assessment tool produces valid, reliable, sufficient, current and authentic evidence to enable reasonable judgements to be made as to whether the requirements of the training package or VET accredited courses are met. It includes reviewing a statistically valid sample of the assessments and making recommendations for future improvements to the assessment tool, process and/or outcomes and acting upon such recommendations. [1] Show
Assessment validation has two distinct parts:
This article covers the first part only. If you want to know more about the second part, then I recommend reading the information published by ASQA about how to conduct assessment validation. This information covers: [2]
Part 1. Check the assessment tool for complianceThe assessment tool must be checked to ensure it complies with the requirements specified by the Standards for RTOs, in particular: [3]
The following 6-step process can be used to check the assessment tool for compliance:
Step 1. Read the assessment requirementsThis is a quick step to perform. You will read and re-read the unit of competency and its assessment requirements many times during the assessment validation process. During this first step, have a quick read of the assessment requirements and answer the following questions:
Step 2. Review the assessment planThis step should also be quick. The purpose of this step is to get an overview of what is the planned assessment approach During this second step, answer the following questions:
Note: This planned assessment approach may be found in the Training and Assessment Strategy (TAS) or other documents covering how the RTO plans to implement the delivery of the training and assessment for a unit or cluster of units. Step 3. Review the assessment matrix (mapping)This step should be a relatively quick step. The assessment matrix is an important document used to display how the RTO plans to gather evidence that comply with the requirements specified by the training package or VET accredited course. The assessment matrix will be used during Step 4 and Step 5 to cross-check the RTO’s planned assessment approach and the assessment instruments being used to gather evidence. During this third step, answer the following questions:
Note: Some assessment matrices will provide information or numerical indicator about the assessment item instead of using a ‘tick’. For example, the matrix may indicate that a piece of knowledge evidence will be gather by Question 1. Step 4. Check the details about how the knowledge evidence is planned to be being gatheredThis step requires an attention to details. The purpose is to ensure that the assessment tool will gather the required knowledge evidence. During this fourth step, answer the following questions:
Step 5. Check the details about how the performance evidence is planned to be being gatheredThis step requires an attention to details and it can take time to examine the assessment documents for compliance. The purpose is to ensure that the assessment tool will gather the required performance evidence. During this fifth step, answer the following questions:
Note: Verbs are important. For example, if performance criteria says, ‘negotiate and agree with a supervisor’, then there needs to be evidence that the candidate has negotiated and agreed with a supervisor’. Also, the letter ‘s’ is important. A item of performance evidence may specify plural rather than singular. For example, if it states ‘write reports’, then more than one written report is required for evidence. Step 6. Check the overall quality of the assessment toolThis step can take time to examine the assessment tool for compliance, readability, and usability.
In conclusionAssessment validation has two distinct parts:
Assessment validation can time-consuming and mind-bending. Preparation before an assessment validation meeting can reduce the time at the assessment validation meeting. However, you can expect a typical assessment validation meeting to require anywhere between a few hours and an entire day. The duration of the assessment validation meeting can depend on the quality of the assessment tool and number of assessment samples to be reviewed. I regularly see poor quality assessment tools, and it takes time to properly check large numbers of assessment samples. Clear and critical thinking is required by people participating in an assessment validation meeting. There are usually many documents to be reviewed and checked. Printing paper copies of documents (or some documents) and using ‘split screens’ on computers will help when comparing information from two or more documents, such as:
Frustration and fatigue can be experienced during long assessment validation meetings. Breaks will be needed (and sometimes chocolate helps). It is a good idea to allocate an experienced VET practitioner to lead the assessment validation meeting. References[1] https://www.asqa.gov.au/standards/appendices/glossary accessed 2 September 2021 [2] https://www.asqa.gov.au/resources/fact-sheets/conducting-validation accessed 2 September 2021 [3] https://www.asqa.gov.au/standards/training-assessment/clauses-1.8-to-1.12 accessed 2 September 2021 TAE Tutoring serviceAre you a TAE40116 Student struggling with your studies? Some people find the assessment validation topic difficult. Do you want help with your TAE40116 studies? Ring Alan Maguire on 0493 065 396 to discuss. Contact now! Training trainers since 1986 |