Religious Moral and Philosophical Studies CPD Presentation

Verification

Overview of Internal Assessment  Assessment approaches –the methods you have used for assessment  Assessment judgements –your marking scheme/checklist

Sampling Check that information on Verification sample form matches sample you are sending: 12 candidates – candidates sampled should reflect the range of achievement of your candidates where possible If you are delivering all 3 levels the sample should include 4 candidates at each level showing clear pass, borderline pass, borderline fail and clear fail.

Sampling Range of achievement gives the verifier a clear picture and enables them to give clear and detailed feedback on the application of national standards. You choose which Unit (or Units if using combined approach to assessment) to select for each level. You must choose the same Unit for all candidates at any one level – (you can use different Units for different levels).

Sampling You must select Units and levels where you have sufficient candidates. If you don’t have sufficient candidates at one or more levels you must increase sample size at a different level, to ensure the total sample is still 12

Not Course

Interim Centre Devised 4 Morality & Belief H Can’t be level eg 4/5

Potential Approaches to Assessment SQA Unit Assessment Support Pack Centre-devised assessment - prior verified Centre-devised assessment - not prior verified Note: You are strongly advised to send assessments you have devised to SQA for prior verification. See 0Centre%20Guidance%20FINAL.pdf 0Centre%20Guidance%20FINAL.pdf

Using other existing materials It is acceptable for centres to re-use materials from current National Courses and Standard Grades including questions from Past Papers and coursework tasks, as well as NABs. The key is that they are valid for the Outcomes and Assessment Standards at the level of Unit for which they have been submitted, and that confidentiality and reliability are assured.

Checking the External Verification Sample Have you included your Instrument of Assessment? Is the Judging Evidence information included? If these are not included then the Centre sample will not be accepted at External Verification.

Making External Verification Judgements Are the assessment approach and assessment judgements valid? Valid means in line with national standards…if assessment is not in line with national standards then the centre will have to resubmit the material.

What are the Assessment Standards

Unit Specification You’ll find the Assessment Standards in the Unit Specification

Has the correct wording been used at each level – you can’t use the same wording in a bi-level assessment. For example: Describe at Level 4 then Explain at Level 5. If a candidate does not achieve the Assessment Standards because they have been asked to do something that is beyond the level they are being presented at then the assessment is not in line with national standards.

Accepted The approaches to assessment and assessment judgements for all candidates at that level are in line with the national standards.

Accepted* Overall the approaches to assessment and assessment judgements at that level are in line with national standards – but there are some recommendations.

Not Accepted This indicates that there was a sufficient issue at that level with the approach to assessment and/or the centres assessment judgements and that this warrants a hold being placed on certification until corrective action is taken and verified by SQA.

‘’Due to the lack of evidence of internal verification, it is not possible to provide comment on its effectiveness. Centre staff are reminded that all centres offering SQA qualifications must have an effective internal quality assurance system which ensures that all candidates are assessed accurately, fairly and consistently to national standards.’’ Verification XXXXXX

Unit Assessment Support Pack (UASP) Extract from UASP ( Examples of recording documentation)

Internal Verification Example of an Internal Verification Form

Assessment evidence collected/collated Marked by teacher against the Unit Outcomes and Assessment Standards 20% sample selected Cross marked against the Unit Outcomes and Assessment Standards Assessment decision agreed and recorded on appropriate form

Key Messages from Verification  Candidates should be given clear instructions about what they need to produce in order for them to achieve the Assessment Standards  Avoid over-assessing candidates  Use level-appropriate language  Show where Assessment Standards have been met  Always refer to the Unit Specification

Key Messages from Verification  Clearly state the approach you have used eg Unit by Unit, Combined or Portfolio approach  Provide evidence of your internal verification processes (it’s good practice)  War and Conflict – the question set doesn’t always allow for the moral aspect of the issue

Common Issues at External Verification  No Instrument of Assessment included  No Judging evidence included  No marking  Verification sample form not completed accurately  Random pieces of candidate evidence included

Good Practice As a network...  Bring for example a 20% sample for cross verifying  Devise a form for cross verifying that is suitable for everyone’s use  Share materials/resources/ideas