This document discusses key concepts and principles of assessment including that assessment should be valid, reliable, fair and involve a variety of methods. It outlines the responsibilities of assessors which include planning and delivering workshops, observing and assessing candidates, providing feedback, keeping records and signing off candidates when criteria are met. The document also discusses factors to consider in planning holistic assessment such as meeting learning criteria, reliability of methods, resources, communication and feedback. It emphasizes that assessment needs to be valid, authentic, current, reliable, fair and based on sufficient evidence.

1. Understanding the Principles and Practices of
Assessment
Presentation - Louise Reed

2. Objectives
• The key concepts and principles of
assessment
• The responsibilities of the assessor
• Key factors in planning holistic assessment
• Validity, authenticity, currency and
sufficiency of evidence

3. Key concepts and principles of
assessment
as·sess·ment
/ sesm nt/əˈ ə
Noun
The evaluation or estimation of the nature, quality, or ability of someone or something: "the assessment of educational needs".
Assessment is the tool used to help both the teacher
and learner gauge progress on a course.
Decisions are based on criteria, set by the awarding
body.
Criteria should be clear to all learners and assessors.

4. Assessment should be:
• valid, reliable
and fair; as such
it should involve
a variety of
methods .
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5. It should also be:
• made clear what is
expected in order
to meet criteria
requirements

6. Responsibilities of the
Assessor
• Plan and deliver workshops and activities to the
requirements of the awarding body & meeting the
needs of learners
• Observe and assess candidates in the workplace
• Provide feedback and advice
• Keep accurate records
• Sign off the candidate when criteria has been met

7. Meeting learners needs
• Do not discriminate
• Consider learning disabilities and needs
• Consider any ethnical requirements
• Consider working schedule of learners
• Be consistent and professional
• Maintain standards for the College and
Awarding Body

8. Another thing
Assessors should
maintain credibility
and relevance by
keeping up with
CPD

9. Planning Holistic
Assessment
A holistic approach to
assessment enables the teacher
to see an overall picture of the
progress of the student.
It gives the student a number of
ways in which to demonstrate
their understanding and can suit
all learning types.

10. Points to consider
• Planning to meet learning criteria
• Reliability of assessment methods
• Location and resources
• Good communication for all involved
• Learner’s awareness of criteria being
assessed and giving timely feedback

11. Judging evidence
• Assessments needs to be valid
• They should assess what they are intended
to assess in terms of the Learning
Outcomes or criteria set.
• Criteria should be made clear to all
involved.

12. Authentic
• In a vocational context,
assignments should reflect
practice in the industry.This
is where a good industry
knowledge is essential.
• Authentic also means that all
work submitted by the
student - should be their
own. Initial and formative
assessment helps understand
ability.

13. Current
• For assessment to be current it has to take
place during the course and in a given time
frame.
• It is possible to assess prior knowledge
through witness statements, as long as they
are reliable.

14. Reliable
• Assessors must follow college and
Awarding Body’s regulations to make the
training and qualification reliable.
• Industry knowledge is a huge advantage
and some courses may insist on it.
• There must be suitable resources to
deliver the course
• The qualification must be awarded by a
recognised Body such as City and Guilds.

15. Fairness
• The assessment must be fair and able to be
achieved by all.
• There should be a range of assessment
methods
• Learning support or adapted resources
• No bias towards learners
• Consistent, timely and constructive
feedback should be given

16. Sufficient evidence
• Is there enough evidence to be
sufficient?
• Guidelines on assessment
methods from Awarding Bodies
should be followed
• Tasks should relate to criteria and
be clearly achieved
• Assessment decisions must be
recorded and verified