Ofqual has today (25 February 2019) published a consultation on proposed
changes to the way awarding organisations manage and oversee
centre assessments. These changes are intended to ensure that
appropriate controls are in place so that standards are
consistent, whenever and wherever an assessment is taken.
Our rules allow awarding organisations to devolve some
responsibility for assessments to schools, colleges and training
centres, including through a practice commonly known as Direct
Claims Status. However, we have found evidence to show that the
variety of approaches currently in place to manage this provide
different levels of oversight. We have also found that the terms
‘moderation’ and ‘verification’ are often used interchangeably
and inconsistently with our rules.
This
consultation recognises that centre assessment is
central to the way many different qualifications function, and
does not look to end it. Instead, we propose to:
- clarify our existing definition of moderation, and provide a
new, separate definition for verification
- require awarding organisations to produce centre assurance
strategies that explain how their centre assessment arrangements
work
- set minimum requirements in certain qualifications
- set minimum requirements for awarding organisation
verification processes, including a minimum of two monitoring
visits and an additional unannounced visit per centre every year
Sally Collier, Chief Regulator, said:
We have conducted a detailed review of the use of centre
assessment and believe that there are risks that can be managed
better. We know that there are circumstances in which learners
and employers can benefit from centre assessment, particularly
in terms of the potential speed a qualification can be awarded.
But the controls that awarding organisations have in place with
centres must be sufficiently robust for the public to have
confidence that assessment standards are being maintained
between training providers and over time.
Ailin O’Cathain, Head of Policy, Federation of Awarding Bodies,
said:
We welcome the opportunity to feed back on the proposals on
Moderation and Verification of centre assessments. We will be
working closely with our members in the coming weeks to gather
their views and feed back on the proposals. It will be
important to view the proposals in relation to the validity of
qualifications, which is something our members are committed
to.
It will also be important to focus on the manageability of the
proposed requirements. We will need to ensure they add value
without placing a disproportionate burden on awarding
organisations or the centres we work with.
Mark Dawe, Chief Executive, Association of Employment and
Learning Providers, said:
While to many it sounds like a technicality, the differences
between verification and moderation are critical, particularly
in terms of the timely confirmation of apprentices and students
achievements. Ofqual have been very clear in their proposed
approach and the potential issues.
As well as the regulatory approach, assessment organisations
will need to commit to process speeds, whatever form of
assessment is used.
We are interested in hearing from anyone concerned with how
qualifications are assessed, including awarding organisations,
training providers, business groups, colleges, trade bodies,
schools organisations, employer partnerships and learners.
Those who are involved in centre assessment will also be an
important source of feedback, and we particularly welcome their
input.
The
consultation is open until 20 May 2019.
