Focus on compliance
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C H A P T E R 2
Spotlight On assessment validation:
The importance of validation
Chapter 2 aims to help RTOs put an effective assessment validation process in place to drive quality outcomes for students and your organisation.
To demonstrate compliance with the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015 (the Standards) you need to demonstrate you have a systemic and effective assessment validation process in place. Validation also has many benefits outside of regulatory compliance. It encourages ongoing continuous improvement to promote quality outcomes for your students and your organisation.
The benefits of validation
Did you know there are four ways effective assessment validation could help your provider?
Watch this short video which outlines the four in greater detail and explains what they might mean for you and your students. Keep reading this page to gain further insights.
Validation means better quality outcomes
An effective validation process ensures your students are receiving training and assessment that covers the requirements of the training product and is relevant and reflective of current industry conditions.
Having an assessment system that achieves the best results for students means they are more likely to achieve success obtaining employment. As well as being an excellent result for students, this demonstrates to industry and potential students your strength as a quality provider.
Validation assists self-assurance and continuous improvement
Assessment validation also plays a significant role in identifying and developing improvement opportunities for future use. Reflecting on the validation outcomes provides a valuable opportunity to share ideas and experiences to ensure there is ongoing continuous improvement of the assessment undertaken by your provider.
If any changes are made to assessment tools, then you should complete quality checks and review the revised tool prior to implementation for future students.
Validation means compliance
An effective documented assessment validation process, including documented outcomes and actions, is required to demonstrate compliance with the Standards.
Clauses 1.9, 1.10 and 1.11 outline the requirements a provider must meet to demonstrate compliance against the Standards specific to validation.
However, the validation process also leads to improved compliance across the Standards. This is due to the overarching positive effect on the training and assessment process – and the confirmation that students have met the requirements of the training product.
Validation means compliance
An effective documented assessment validation process, including documented outcomes and actions, is required to demonstrate compliance with the Standards.
Clauses 1.9, 1.10 and 1.11 outline the requirements a provider must meet to demonstrate compliance against the Standards specific to validation.
However, the validation process also leads to improved compliance across the Standards. This is due to the overarching positive effect on the training and assessment process – and the confirmation that students have met the requirements of the training product.
Record keeping
Ensure you keep records from the validation sessions, including those who attended, their association with industry, their qualifications, the session’s action items and records of how those items were implemented.
This will help you with developing a plan to incorporate the session’s feedback into your assessment practices as part of your self-assurance requirements and also provides an opportunity for continuous improvement.
Validation assessment
Consider undertaking a validation assessment as soon as your new addition to scope training product (including any upgraded units of competency) has assessed the first round of completed student assessments.
An early validation assessment will provide greater self-assurance that your new assessment tools and judgements are meeting (or not meeting) the requirements of the training product, the Principles of Assessment and the Rules of Evidence from the very beginning.
Remember to review your assessment tools
Before using with students, new or amended tools should be checked for quality and fit for the context you are using them in.
You are responsible for ensuring the tool meets the requirements of the training package, qualification and/or unit of competency. Do not solely rely on the assessment tool developer to provide compliant tools.
Visit other chapters from this series:
Questions?
Still have a question? Check out the Users’ guide to the Standards for RTOs 2015, or send through a question for consideration for our webinar via our website.
