Proposal for Establishing a Professional Body for e-Assessment Practitioners Proposal by Broxbourne Solutions Working with and supported by: Scottish Qualifications Authorityhttp:// Qualifications and Curriculum Authority The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales The National Assessment Agency The Institute of Educational Assessors

The Consultation Phase

We believe the time is right to create: a Professional Body, provisionally entitled the e-Assessment Association, for those working in e-Assessment, and those using e-Assessment as a significant part of their workload.

Genesis of the proposal Parallel initiatives in Scotland and England Agreement to jointly explore Meetings with British Regulatory Bodies Discussions at successive e-assessment conferences

Project Activities Consultations throughout Feb/Mar/April –Via conferences, surveys, website Research – structures, services, pricing Monthly reports to Project Board Complete findings by end May

Questions to be asked of the potential members 1.Is there a need for a professional, industry led body for e-Assessment? 2.How would such a body relate to others in the field, especially how would it relate to the Institute of Educational Assessors? 3.How should the Association support professionals in the eAssessment space? 4.What segments of the eLearning industry should be supported by the Association, in both the public and private sectors 5.Should the Association recognise geographic boundaries 6.What services should the Association provide to its members, and with what frequency should the services be provided? 7.Should the Association award a badge of competence to its members? 8.Should the Association determine the competence framework of the eAssessment industry? 9.How should the Association be funded? Through our work we hope to establish answers to the following questions:

Is there a need for a professional, industry led body for e-Assessment? How would such a body relate to others in the field, especially how would it relate to the Institute of Educational Assessors? How should the Association support professionals in the eAssessment space? What segments of the eLearning industry should be supported by the Association, in both the public and private sectors Should the Association recognise geographic boundaries What services should the Association provide to its members, and with what frequency should the services be provided? Should the Association award a badge of competence to its members? Should the Association determine the competence framework of the eAssessment industry? How should the Association be funded?

Communications Strategy The first is our web site which is located at: The second is an eZine, which will be presented on the website in the near future.

Future Meetings We have already signed up to present our ideas at the following events: March; Relationship to IEA; e-Assessment Question, London 3rd March 2006 ( Challenging On-line Assessment, Friday, 10 March 2006, Dunfermline. April; Industry Structure Focus Group; Cardiff (TBA) May; Assessment Tomorrow Launch event; Glasgow 4th May 2006 ( June, Initial Meeting of eAssessment Association (TBA)

Project Board One appointed member from each of the sponsoring organisations: –QCA SQA ACCAC CCEA, and Broxbourne Solutions. Prof Cliff Beevers (Chair) –John Gordon has been appointed as the Accountable Officer to Project Board. –Colin Deal will attend board meetings to present progress of the project The specific remit of the board is to lead decision-making and on-going progress of the project to develop the eAssessment Association.