Chartered Educational Assessor Training and Assessment Pilot
The inaugural training and evaluation event for Chartered Educational Assessors took place in London at the Thistle Hotel, Marble Arch on September 27th and 28th. 43 participants took part in the event, which was used to select the assessors who will take part in the pilot scheme that will run for the rest of the year and measure the impact of a CEA on schools. Participants ranged from assessors of nursery nurses, assessors from within the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors, principal and chief examiners, as well as those who assess within other professional institutes.
The Process
Initial advertisements for the role were placed on the website at the start of July. Applicants were asked to highlight the previous knowledge and experience they had in the five elements of the process of assessment:
- Planning or preparing assessments
- Conducting assessments
- Feeding back after assessments and handling data
- Managing oneself and working to deadlines
- Managing teams of assessors
There were 98 applicants when the application process closed on July 31st. These 98 were analysed by a team of staff using specific criteria that had been pre-determined and were implicit in the advertisement.
This team then met to discuss each individual in turn. The standard and calibre of the applications was outstanding. Of the 98 initial applicants, 52 were invited to attend the initial event on the proscribed date. Some of those invited were unable to attend because of prior commitments, or a sudden change in circumstances. Nevertheless, 43 people wee able to attend and take part in this unique event.
The Event
An IEA spokesperson informed the participants about the nature of the two days and the levels of interest in the pilot both nationally and internationally. The learning objectives and assessment criteria for each session, based upon the IEA Professional Framework, were made explicit and participants were plunged into random teams for the remainder of the two days.
Participants felt under constant pressure, since their performances were being assessed on a continuous basis; team-building, communication and inter-personal skills were all analysed carefully. Participants' abilities to turn specifications and learners' needs into assessments that were fit for purpose; to develop effective assessment criteria and to suggest realistic ways of standardising and monitoring in school situations were outlined in each portfolio that built over the course of the two days. These portfolios were then assessed according to the assessment criteria that had been made explicit to each participant.
Evaluation
Finally, participants were asked to evaluate the course and the training materials in an anonymous evaluation form. Space was also made available to pass a general comment, some of which can be found below:
Good sessions with interactive guidance provided.
Very enjoyable two days.
A worthwhile course, which challenged and developed my learning with regard to assessment practices.
Very interesting and informative course.
The planning team is to be congratulated.
A professionally run course.
It was very interesting to be with so many movers and shakers from the assessment community.
A very interesting, stimulating and challenging course.
It was worthwhile. The exercises worked well.
Very useful discussions. It was good to network.
The work was challenging and rewarding.
The presentations were clear, informative and well put together.
Excellent sessions with relevant tasks.
This was an interesting and informative experience. The central notion of moving from product to process is certainly challenging. However, the two days have gone a long way to ferry us across.