SKILLS ACTIVE
2013 EXTERNAL MODERATION PLAN
Introduction Under the Industry Training Act 1992, Skills Active is responsible for monitoring the quality of training and assessment. Moderation is the process of ensuring that assessment practices are valid, consistent and fair, and at the national standard. Ultimately we are looking to ensure that Tertiary Education Organisations (TEOs) and Schools are making consistent and reliable judgements about candidates' assessed work. This is achieved through having an effective external moderation system. There are two components to the Skills Active external moderation system: • Pre-­‐assessment moderation • Post-­‐assessment moderation This document outlines Skills Active’s plan for national external moderation for the 2013 calendar year. The system enables moderation to be pro-­‐active and timely, and provides an opportunity for Skills Active Aotearoa moderators to assist organisations with consent to assess whose assessments may not have met national standards. The key principles that underpin our external moderation programme are: • Support assessment that is fair, valid and consistent • Support ‘best practice’ assessment, which includes using an integrated approach to assessment, based around an evidence collection model • Detect assessment variance from the national standard and keep the variance to a minimum • Protect the integrity of the industry sector qualifications • Recognise the intellectual property rights of those submitting information and ensure total confidentiality and security of all submissions Components of Skills Active External Moderation System Pre-­‐assessment moderation All TEOs and Schools are encouraged to use Skills Active Aotearoa assessment resources to reduce the need for pre-­‐assessment moderation. TEOs and Schools not using Skills Active pre-­‐moderated assessment resources must submit their assessment materials to Skills Active for pre-­‐assessment moderation, prior to use. Charges apply for pre-­‐assessment moderation and are noted in the Skills Active Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR 0099). Skills Active – National External Moderation Plan – February 2013
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Post-­‐ assessment moderation Skills Active completes post-­‐assessment moderation quarterly as per the CMR. The frequency of moderation will depend on the credit reporting activity and the previous moderation outcomes. The selection of unit standards for post-­‐assessment moderation will also be informed by: • Unit standards that are to be assessed for the first time • Unit standards that have been reviewed in the last twelve months • A spread of domains, levels and high use unit standards • Unit standards that have a potential health and safety risk • Any industry concerns The post-­‐assessment moderation will include the following activity: Postal moderation •
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Skills Active will request, in writing, samples of materials from TEOs and Schools who have conducted assessments The requested samples will be identified from assessment results reported to NZQA TEOs and Schools will have three (3) weeks to supply the requested assessment samples to Skills Active Wellington Office Assessment samples will be moderated by Skills Active Moderators and a moderation report completed Moderation reports and assessment materials will be returned to the TEO or School Where significant issues are identified during moderation, the moderator may contact the TEO or School to discuss these before completing their report Non-­‐compliance with Moderation requirements Where non-­‐compliance is identified, the moderator will provide details in writing including the action required and related timeframe. A site visit may be required to provide assistance to remedy the non-­‐compliance or complete additional on-­‐site practical moderation. Appeals Skills Active Aotearoa has in place an appeals process for situation where differences concerning moderation decisions cannot be resolved in the first instance. The appeals process requires the TEO or School to contact Skills Active to review the moderation decision and work towards a resolution. For more information contact: Skills Active Moderator/Evaluator Heather Leslie heather@skillsactive.org.nz Skills Active – National External Moderation Plan – February 2013
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