Foundations and Cornerstones of Assessment

Foundations and Cornerstones of Outcomes-based Assessment

In order to determine where students are on their journey, they must be given the opportunity to show what they know and can do.

• Know exactly what are expected of the learners by way of standards which the learners have to meet.
• Have cross-field knowledge but remain subject-matter and/or occupational experts.
• Understand what forms of assessment are appropriate to their discipline/field and to the NQF level being assessed.
• Have relevant occupational qualifications.
• Understand the “language” of the field they are assessing, i.e. both the technical terminology as well as the ways of thinking and doing that are required of them to be competent as assessors.
• Keep up-to-date with developments in their field.
• Regularly ask learners for feedback on assessment in order to constantly monitor and improve their (assessors’) practice.
• Know the curriculum and trainers/educators/facilitators through regular contact and provide them with detailed feedback.
• Take into consideration other factors when conducting assessment, i.e. language by making use of interpreters and learners with special needs.
• Ensure that learners are clear about what is expected of them.
• Treat learners with respect and sensitivity.
• Demonstrate a broad understanding of outcomes-based forms of assessment and the NQF.
• Ensure that the relationship between the learner and assessor during the assessment is conducive to the assessment.
• Understand their own role within the broader quality assurance system and keep up to date in related fields of study.
• Ensure that the environment for assessment is conducive to assessment.
• Demonstrate that they are competent to deal with the following: assessment environment, assessment instrument and assessment system.
• Know how to provide feedback on the standards and qualifications to relevant standard setting bodies.
• Have expertise in the specific learning area and generic knowledge in other related learning areas for integrated assessment practice.

Preparation during assessment is a fairly taxing task and involves a lot of careful consideration and planning, but if this step is followed accurately and with thought, the rest of the assessment will be a much smoother, stream-lined process.