The Teaching Section

As part of a teaching section you may participate in assessment validation activities. Examples of evidence that demonstrate validation has taken place include:

• records of meetings where validation is covered (agendas, minutes, action plans)
• feedback from clients (learner and/or employer satisfaction surveys: notes recording feedback from face-to-face or telephone interviews)
• records of benchmark activities
• records of professional development activities that focus on improving assessment strategies
• examples of documents used in reviewing, comparing and evaluating tools

Discussion during and outcomes from these meetings should be documented and the minutes should include:

• findings
• recommendations
• timelines of actions required
• areas of responsibility (including who)
• specific improvements required
• any support required or identified

Discussions for Assessment Validation meetings could include:

• compliance with the Training Package or accredited course requirements
• ability to meet the needs of a diverse range of learners
• language, literacy and numeracy requirements
• validity, reliability, sufficiency, fairness and flexibility
• underpinning skills and knowledge
• consideration of the cultural and linguistic needs of all learners
• inclusion of version control details
• details of the National unit/qualification code and title, for the unit/ module being assessed

To assist with the Assessment Validation process within teaching sections the following documents are provided:

Faculty Community Services Section Assessment Validation Checklist

The Assessment Validation Checklist is to be completed when validating assessments. This ensures that the principles for meeting the AQTF standards are considered and that the judgements made are documented. These records are to be kept in the section.

A Section Assessment Validation Action Plan is to be completed at the beginning of the Assessment Validation process. This may be completed at the beginning of the semester year. It details the plan and documents the competencies (or modules) that will be validated throughout the year. This is to be forwarded to the Faculty Community Services at the beginning of each year.

The Assessment Validation Audit Checklist is to be completed at the end of the semester year. This documents the planning and improvements that have been undertaken by the teaching sections. This is to be forwarded to the Faculty once completed.

Record keeping

Assessment records must be maintained for each learner/ for a minimum of two years and be readily accessible for audit purposes. Keep the records in a secure filing cabinet for 6 months following the assessment, then move the files into storage where they remain for the remainder of the two-year period and are eventually archived.

Uploading electronically assessment tools for use can be achieved through the EKB (Education Knowledge Bank) available through the SWSI intranet.