April 2008
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| CIEAMail, Issue 21 | April 2008 |
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Welcome Welcome to CIEAMAIL, the topical monthly members e-newsletter, carrying news and views from the Chartered Institute of Educational Assessors (CIEA). Content:
Institute News - CIEA National Assessment Conference 2008 review
Institute News -
CIEA National Assessment Conference 2008 review
The theme of the conference was 'Developing and delivering good assessment practice during times of change,' which could not have been more appropriate, considering the range of new assessments being rolled out later this year, especially in schools and colleges. The aim of the conference was to provide an umbrella for front-line practitioners through to policy-makers to debate the issues and challenges facing the assessment community. To support that community, the CIEA assembled an international programme of speakers to give their expert views on the challenges that lie ahead with the introduction of Diplomas, the 14-19 reform, Single Level Tests and the move towards personalisation. What each presenter had to say and the key note addresses were filmed and these will shortly be posted on the CIEA website to be watched at your leisure.
Institute News - Kathleen Tattersall new Chair of Ofqual Kathleen Tattersall was elected as the first Chair of the Institute of Educational Assessors (IEA) in May 2006. Kathleen spent 2 years as the Chair of the Institute in which time the Institute was successfully granted a Royal Charter from the Privy Council Office and is now formally known as the Chartered Institute of Educational Assessors (CIEA). Ofqual will act as the independent guardian of standards across the qualifications, tests and exam system in England. Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls, said: "Ofqual will be responsible for securing the standards of qualifications, tests and assessment, and for ensuring that public investment in qualifications provides good value for money. Independent bodies already look at appeals against admissions decisions and at the quality of teaching and learning while in school. Our plans mean that at every stage of the school system, independent bodies will have clear responsibilities for ensuring fairness and high standards." Kathleen Tattersall said: "The creation of Ofqual will herald a new era in the regulation of England's highly respected qualifications and examinations and I am delighted to have been appointed as its first Chair. As new developments come on stream, including Diplomas, we have the opportunity to build on the excellent work of QCA to ensure that our qualification system remains fit for purpose and of the highest quality. For learners, qualifications are a passport to further learning and employment and they deserve nothing less than the best: we will work with all our stakeholders to ensure that this is what they get."
Institute News - It's has been a great start, and this year sees the Institute moving up a gear In April 2007 we were granted out Royal Charter: a powerful statement of the improved recognition and increasing professional status conferred on the practice of assessment. This month we will be moving to a subscription only membership base thereby increasing the support available to provide membership services enabling us to better serve the interests of a community of committed assessment professionals. You will shortly receive a membership renewal form in the post communicating further information.
Monthly Member Poll - Teaching to the Test To ensure we are able to give as powerful and accurate voice as possible to our members, we would appreciate your thoughts on this. To take part in this months member poll please click on the link below: The recent monthly poll showed some support for current reforms to the assessment regime in England and Wales, with 19% of respondents showing positive support and a further 40% of respondents showing qualified support. However, over 20% of respondents held a negative view of the current raft of reforms. You can view results from the previous months' member poll by following the link below.
Institute News - CIEA announces second web seminar due to popular demand! The event was facilitated by the Head of the CIEA, David Wright; CIEA Consultant, Brian Rigby; and prospective CEA; Julius Lang. Feedback has been extremely positive, so a second web seminar has been organised: CIEA Professional Framework: Providing structured CPD to the assessment community Date: 17th June 2008 If you would like to attend this Member-Only event please register an interest by clicking the link below:
Institute News - CIEA recognises assessment-related achievements of its recently qualified members The CIEA is pleased to announce that nineteen recently qualified members have successfully achieved Teacher Learning Academy Stage 1 status via the recent CIEA/TLA assessment-specific route. Sarah Morgan, Head of Professional Development, GTCE, presented four members with their certificates at the recent CIEA Annual Dinner, and gave a short speech praising the quality of work and their dedication. Associate Member, Tim Shea, will feature in the next issue of Make the Grade (published: 22nd May) as he not only gained Stage 1 recognition, but also Stage 2! The pilot is now closed, however the scheme will be launched nationally within the coming months. Watch this space.
Institute News -
CIEA Research Database
Institute News - Website rebrand
Institute News - Assessment Policy continued (Step 8 of 13) This step will help you to decide how effective you are as an individual and suggest areas for CPD or personal development Self-assessment Assessors themselves need to undertake a form of self-assessment, as well as act upon any appraisal that has been made about their performances. To help the individual it may be beneficial to draw up a grid that will allow line managers to comment on performance, as well as give the individual a framework within which to work and one that will aid self-assessment. To view an example grid please follow this link. CPD This will highlight to the individual, to the team leaders and to the assessment co-ordinators the nature of any CPD that individuals may need as well common areas of support that are needed across teams. This can be fed into those people who hold the training budget for consideration when budgets are being prepared for the year
CPD - Events and Training Course Calendar Each month theC IEA communicates educational assessment focused events and training courses that are taking place around the UK. The INGOTS Staff Development Courses The assessor model supports staff development and this can be used to get recognition through the Teacher Learning Academy (TLA) of the General Teaching Council for England. ICT Assessor Training Assessor training courses are arranged on a regular basis at various geographical locations. If you are interested in becoming an assessor, sign up at click here . for the forthcoming courses or put your name and details on the course waiting list. We will use this to arrange courses as far as possible to suit the geographical location. In general, the course fee is £129 per delegate however, a discount of 15% is offered to CIEA members Communicate-ed Assessment related training courses: Communicate-ed is a company specialising in the training of education professionals who work in the area of special needs. The CIEA has negotiated a 15% discount for members. Please download the appropriate form for the Communicate-ed website Please return your application clearly marked 'CIEA discount' with your membership number. Please note that the discount only applies to the standard rate and cannot be used with any other offer. Training providers. Please contact info@ciea.org.uk if you would like to promote your courses within this section of CIEAMail. Members should be aware that the CIEA is only communicating these events to its members and not endorsing them.
BBC News Online , April 19, 2008 Exam trauma extra marks 'unfair' The National Union of Teachers wants stricter guidelines to stop parents exploiting a system giving children more time and extra marks in exams. GCSE and A-level pupils in England can get extra marks, on appeal, for issues ranging from a headache or hayfever to suffering a family bereavement. But there are fears the system is being abused after a huge increase in the numbers appealing for more marks. In 2005, there were 250,000 appeals but there were more than 300,000 last year.
Let us know what you think of the e-newsletter and any features you'd like to see in future issues. If you're feeling creative and would like to contribute an article, please send an email to info@ciea.org.uk. Until next time...
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