Yesterday, I was tutoring someone who is currently doing their TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment at a TAFE. This person was needing help to understand what was required to conduct a pre-assessment validation.
The TAE Trainer at the TAFE doesn’t seem to know how to explain the topic. And at the previous week’s training session, the TAE Students were set up in small groups to figure out how to conduct a pre-assessment validation by themselves. The TAE Trainer was absent during the small group work. It sounded a bit chaotic. It was not the fault of the TAE Students, but the training session involved the naïve leading the naïve. No learning was achieved.
The person seeking my help as a TAE Tutor wanted to understand the topic and believed that there had to be a method to conducting pre-assessment validation. This person was wanting a step-by-step procedure.
Here are the key points we covered during the tutoring session.
Terminology
First, I started with explaining and defining what assessment validation is.
We evaluate training. But we validate assessment.
Most people understand that training is evaluated. Most people have attended training when they have been asked to complete a feedback form that can be used to help evaluate the training so that future training can be improved.
The validation of assessment can be thought of as an evaluation of assessment.
Next, I went to the glossary from the Standards for RTOs 2015. This is where we can find the definition of validation, as it is used in the Australian VET system.
Validation is the quality review of the assessment process. Validation involves checking that the assessment tool/s produce/s 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]
Key points from the definition:
- Quality review of the assessment process
- Checking the assessment tool
- Reviewing a statistically valid sample of the assessments
- Making recommendations for future improvements.
Difference between pre-assessment validation and assessment validation
The TAEASS413 Participate in assessment validation unit of competency specifies that the TAE Student must:
- participate in the pre-assessment validation of at least 3 assessment tools before they are first used with candidates
- participate in the validation of the 3 assessment tools after they have been used to assess candidates.
The following table show the fundamental difference between pre-assessment validation and assessment validation.
Pre-assessment valuation will occur when an RTO has developed its own assessment tools or when the RTO purchases assessment tools to be used. The RTO must take responsibility for the quality of the assessment tools used, and this includes checking them before use.
Some TAE Students probably wish their RTO delivering the TAE40122 qualification had conducted a pre-assessment validation of the assessment tools being used to deliver the TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. Many TAE40122 assessment tools are dreadful.
A step-by-step procedure
The following is a step-by-step procedure for conducting a pre-assessment validation that I discussed and demonstrated during yesterday’s tutoring session.
Step 1. Unpack competency standard
‘Unpacking‘ means reading, analysing and understanding the requirements specified in the Unit of Competency and its Assessment Requirements.
Step 2. Review Pre-assessment Validation Report template
RTO will most likely have a template or form to be used to guide the pre-assessment validation process, and report findings. For the purposes of this article, let’s call this document a ‘Pre-assessment Validation Report’ template.
This template is likely to include checking the assessment tool for following:
- Compliance with the principles of assessment
- Compliance with the rules of evidence
- Readability and usability of the assessment tool.
Step 3. Review Unit Mapping document
Review the Unit Mapping document. This includes:
- Check that Unit of Competency and its Assessment Requirements have been correctly and completed copied into the Unit Mapping document
- Check that every row has been completed with at least one piece of evidence planned to be gathered
- Check that the assessment method is appropriate.
Step 4. Cross-check the unit mapping with assessment instruments
Check details from the Unit Mapping document are found in the assessment instruments.
Step 5. Review assessment instructions and assessment instruments
Conduct a detailed review of assessment instructions and assessment instruments.
Step 6. Complete Pre-assessment Validation Report template
Complete the Pre-assessment Validation Report template. This includes documenting your finding, justification that supports your findings, and recommendations for improvement.
In conclusion
A pre-assessment valuation can be complex and time-consuming. A pre-assessment valuation meeting may require two hours or more, depending on the quantity and complexity of the assessment tool. Also, the time can depend on how prepared and how experienced the valuators are.
The TAEASS413 Participate in assessment validation unit of competency requires an experienced VET practitioner to lead validation activities. [2] Some RTOs delivering the TAE40122 qualification have rightly interpreted this to mean that the TAE Trainer leads the pre-assessment valuation meetings, and the TAE Students participate at these meetings. Some RTOs are not doing the right thing and are not providing an experienced VET practitioner to lead these meetings.
It is a shame that some RTOs delivering the TAE40122 qualification do not provide sufficient training, do not demonstrate good practice, and do not provided the level of support to help their TAE Students learn.
References
[1] https://www.asqa.gov.au/glossary accessed 5 September 2024
[2] https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/?id=TAEASS413 accessed 5 September 2024
Do you need help with your TAE studies?
Are you a doing the TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, and are you struggling with your studies? Do you want help with your TAE studies?
Ring Alan Maguire on 0493 065 396 to discuss.
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