Category: Teaching and learning

Date of approval: Feb 2009

Purpose
The purpose of this procedure is to outline the system used to conduct assessments. [Standard 8.1]
Responsibility
The Course Coordinator is responsible for the implementation of this procedure and to ensure that staff and students are aware of its application and that staff implement its requirements

Requirements
The method section defines the procedure used for conducting assessments. The method applies to assessments conducted for the purposes of national recognition in both institutional and workplace contexts. Equally it applies to assessment only pathways, training and assessment pathways or Recognition of Prior Learning.

All assessment must:

• Comply with the Assessment Guidelines included in the applicable nationally endorsed Training Packages or the assessment requirements specified in accredited courses;
  
  
• Lead to the issuing of a Statement of Attainment or qualification under the AQF when a person is assessed as competent against nationally endorsed unit(s) of competency in the applicable Training Package or modules specified in the applicable accredited course.
  
  
• Comply with the principles of validity, reliability, fairness and flexibility;
  
  
• Provide for applicants to be informed of the context and purpose of the assessment and the assessment process;
  
  
• Where relevant, focus on the application of knowledge and skill to the standard of performance required in the workplace and cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills;
  
  
• Involve the evaluation of sufficient evidence to enable judgements to be made about whether competency has been attained;
  
  
• Provide for feedback to the applicant about the outcomes of the assessment process and guidance on future options;
  
  
• Be equitable for all persons, taking account of cultural and linguistic needs; and
  
  
• Provide for reassessment on appeal

Definitions

• N/A

Records

Method
Establish the assessment context

The assessor establishes the context and purpose of the assessment by identifying the relevant competency standards, assessment guidelines and qualification framework, identifies the support materials that have been purchased and developed to facilitate the learning and assessment process.

Prepare the candidate

The assessor meets with the candidate to:

• Explain the context and purpose of the assessment and the assessment process
  
• Explain the Competency Standards to be assessed and the evidence to be collected
  
• Advise on self assessment including processes and criteria
  
• Outline the assessment procedure, the preparation which the candidate should undertake, and answer any questions
  
• Assess the needs of the candidate and, where applicable, negotiate reasonable adjustment for assessing people with disabilities without compromising the integrity of the competencies
  
• Seek feedback regarding the candidate's understanding of the competency standards, evidence requirements and assessment process
  
• Determine if the candidate is ready for assessment and, in consultation with the candidate, decide on the time and place of the assessment
  
• Implement the assessment plan.

Plan and prepare the evidence gathering process

The assessor must:

• Use the assessment tools to gather sufficient and quality evidence about the candidate's performance in order to make the assessment decision
  
• Organise equipment or resources required to support the evidence gathering process
  
• Coordinate and brief other personnel involved in the evidence gathering process.

Collect the evidence and make the assessment decision

The assessor must:

• Establish and oversee the evidence gathering process to ensure its validity, reliability, fairness and flexibility
  
• Collect appropriate evidence and assess this against the Elements, Performance Criteria, Range Statement and Evidence Guide in the relevant Units of Competency
  
• Evaluate evidence in terms of the four dimensions of competency task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job/role environment skills
  
• Incorporate allowable adjustments to the assessment procedure without compromising the integrity of the competencies
  
• Evaluate the evidence in terms of validity, consistency, currency, equity, authenticity and sufficiency
  
• Consult and work with other staff in the assessment process
  
• Record details of evidence collected

Make a judgement about the candidate's competency based on the evidence and the relevant Unit[s] of Competency.

Provide feedback on the assessment
The assessor must provide advice to the candidate about the outcomes of the assessment process. This includes providing the candidate with:

• Clear and constructive feedback on the assessment decision
  
• Information on ways of overcoming any identified gaps in competency revealed by the assessment the opportunity to discuss the assessment process and outcome information on reassessment and the appeals processes.
  
• An opportunity for reassessment if appropriate or requested by the candidate

Record and report the result

The assessor must:

• Record the assessment outcome
  
• Maintain records of the assessment procedure, evidence collected and the outcome
  
• Provide signed and dated assessment outcomes to the Administrative assistant competencies are achieved for each unit
  
• Maintain the confidentiality of the assessment outcome

Review the assessment process

On completion of the assessment process, the assessor must:

• Review the assessment process
  
• Report on the positive and negative features of the assessment to those responsible for the assessment procedures
  
• Make suggestions (if necessary) on improving the assessment procedures to appropriate personnel in the RTO.

Participate in the reassessment and appeals process

The assessor must:

• Provide feedback and counselling to the candidate, if required, regarding the assessment outcome or process including guidance on further options
  
• Provide the candidate with information on the reassessment and appeals process
  
• Report any assessment decision that is disputed by the candidate to the Training Manager
  
• Participate in the reassessment or appeal according to the policies and procedures of the Board.

References

Assessment policy

Code of Practice

Student complaints and appeals procedure