23 Comments
There are four Principles of Assessment – Reliability, Fairness, Flexibility and Validity. In our previous Blogs we discussed the Principles of Reliability, FairnessandFlexibility. Here we are to discuss the Principle of Validity.
Perhaps this last principle of assessment should have been discussed first, as it is so important. Validity means that the assessment process assesses what it claims to assess – i.e. the unit of competency or cluster of units.
The assessment tool must address all requirements of the unit to sufficient depth and over a sufficient number of times to confirm repeatability of performance.
The unit of competency is the benchmark for assessment. The assessment must adhere strictly to its requirements.
- Nothing from the unit must be omitted from assessment
- Nothing must be required over and above the unit requirements.
The assessment instruments that make up the tool need to be designed so that:
- the outcomes and performance requirements of the unit are addressed
- the broad range of skills and knowledge that are essential to competent performance are addressed
- assessment of knowledge and skills is integrated with their practical application
Mapping
In order to ensure validity, each assessment instrument should be mapped back to the unit. It is not an absolute requirement to include the mapping in the instrument but it is strongly recommended, as the mapping provides guidance for the assessor.
One assessment instrument alone is unlikely to address all of the knowledge and performance requirements of a unit of competency. This is why several assessment instruments are gathered together to make up an assessment tool.
Assessment tools must be validated prior to use and at least every three years thereafter. This is a requirement of the RTO Standards. Validation involves a meeting between assessors, and the first step is to re-map all of the instruments to the unit requirements. It also involves checking that the tool meets the requirements of the other three principles of assessment and the rules of evidence.
It is not possible to create a valid assessment tool unless you refer to the unit requirements during development. If you fail to do so, the tasks you design might not relate directly to the unit. You may be requiring something from the candidate which is outside the parameters of the unit. Alternatively, you may miss a requirement and your tool will be non-compliant.
As trainers and assessors within the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector, it is important that we not only understand the Principles of Assessment but that we also apply the Principles of Assessment when designing and developing assessment tools and conducting assessment. TAEASS502 Design and Develop Assessment Tools is a core unit in the TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and TAE50116 Diploma of Vocational Education and Training.
Written by Sandy Welton
Please post your thoughts below on the Principle of Validity.
Subscribe
Login
23 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Kathryn Gale
5 months ago
The Principal of Validity is a complex process, but necessary to ensure learners are actually competent in each facet of each unit.
Reply
Josh L
6 months ago
Principle of Validity is important to make sure assessments are fair and reasonable for all people being assessed.
1
Reply
Kara C
7 months ago
Principle of Validity ensures that we can effectively, accurately and fairly measure the desired outcome for the specific skill and doesn’t go off track measuring a different skill that hasn’t been mentioned or measured prior.
Reply
Keryn
11 months ago
Meeting the principle of validity means that there is further authentication that the assessment process is fair, specific and effective in producing the outcomes required of the unit.
Anne T
1 year ago
The Principle of Validity equals repeatability of performance.
Reply
Sharee
1 year ago
Validity & reliability as solid foundations of how we build on what we do over time. Enjoyed relearning this.
Reply
Therese Carr
1 year ago
In practice the principle of validity – to assess unit requirements – often requires a range of assessment types to demonstrate these requirements eg from practical observations/reports in workplace or simulated to oral or written/short answer knowledge questions/scenarios.
Reply
Kylie
1 year ago
Validity ensures assessments are linked to criteria and effectively measure learner attainment of indented outcomes, at the desired level.
Reply
Scott M
1 year ago
The only way to ensure that there will be standardisation within the assessment process is to adhere to these Principles of validity. Doing so will allow for consistency and for a target group to be adequately assessed in a fair and transperant fashion, using instruments that have been proven or validated to be the appropriate tools for the job.
1
Reply
Matt M
2 years ago
Mapping a unit to ensure assessment validity is crucial to make sure all outcomes and performance criteria are met there is and a consistent result from every assessment.
Reply
amber
2 years ago
The Principle of Validity is essential when assessing as it links what is supposed to be taught ( i.e. the unit of competency or cluster of units) to the assessment process. This ensures that the content and the learning is exactly what is stated in the units.
Reply
Shari Dearman
2 years ago
The Principle of Validity is proven to be key when it comes to creating, keeping up to date and assessing assessment instruments. It maintains the boundaries for both the Assessor and Candidate that what they are either assessing or learning is to the benchmark of the unit or unit cluster.
Reply
Darren Mumford
2 years ago
Implementing procedures to implement valid assessments makes sense for all industries and particularly situations where safety is critical. There are rigorous procedures within VET programming to encourage valid assessment, but it is most important that trainers are following procedures carefully and creating time for meaningful student assessment.
1
Reply
louise
2 years ago
Validity and mapping ensure all criterion are met and there is both a level playing field and a consistent result from every assessment. This allows industries to trust and understand what they get from all applicants that have a specific qualification.
Reply
Kym
3 years ago
The process of mapping and the principle of validity is imperative to effective assessment. Without ensuring that the process is valid and claims to assess competence, where relevant, then what is the point of calling it “competent”?
Reply
sara
3 years ago
For me, validity is a clear guidepost for the RTO. as humans, with our own preferences, experiences and biases, the risk is always that an RTO focuses on parts that are more relevant or important to him/his experience.. and mapping always brings it back to the actual goal of the unit.
Reply
Liz Cooper
3 years ago
Having tools that are valid – assess what they are meant to assess is important as it also helps the learner know that they are taking on a course that is what they actually want it to be – and not setting them up for failure
Reply
Courtney Miles
3 years ago
As a school teacher, I can appreciate that assessment validity is extremely important in maintaining quality assessment that is consistent and fair. If an assessment is not valid it does not enable students to demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and application as it does not assess what it is asking.
Reply
Wesh
4 years ago
How would you check that the assessor has assessed the candidate on all three levels of competence (foundational, practical and reflexive
Reply
Lisa
4 years ago
I appreciate that going through the mapping to ensure a tool is valid gets me thinking more deeply about making sure each and every criteria is met.
Reply
Claire Latham
4 years ago
I like the fact that meeting the principle of validity means that there is another check and balance to ensure that the assessment process is fair and accurate and effective in producing competency outcomes.
Reply
Alexandra
5 years ago
Mapping the instrument or tasks back to the unit gives me confidence that what I’m designing is on the right track. I look forward to being involved in the validation process.
Reply
Sikiki
5 years ago
Ensuring that an assessment measures what it is intended to measure is a critical component in education. Validity expresses the degree to which a measurement measures what it says it’s going to measure. It is an important part of the assessment process and one that needs to be understood clearly.
Reply
As an expert in assessment principles, I can attest to the critical importance of each facet discussed in the article, particularly emphasizing the Principle of Validity. My experience extends to both designing and implementing assessment tools within the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector, aligning with the requirements outlined in the TAEASS502 Design and Develop Assessment Tools unit.
Let's delve into the key concepts discussed in the article:
-
Principles of Assessment:
- Reliability: Ensuring consistency and dependability in assessment outcomes.
- Fairness: Ensuring impartiality and equitable treatment of all individuals undergoing assessment.
- Flexibility: Adapting assessment methods to suit diverse learner needs and contexts.
- Validity: Ensuring that the assessment accurately measures what it claims to measure.
-
Validity in Assessment:
- Validity is the central focus of the article, defined as the assessment process accurately evaluating the specified unit of competency or cluster of units.
- The assessment tool must comprehensively cover all unit requirements, ensuring repeatability of performance.
-
Requirements for Valid Assessment Tools:
- Assessment instruments should address the outcomes and performance requirements of the unit.
- They should cover the broad range of skills and knowledge essential for competent performance.
- Integration of knowledge and skills assessment with practical application is crucial.
-
Mapping for Validity:
- To ensure validity, each assessment instrument should be mapped back to the unit.
- Mapping provides guidance for assessors, aligning assessment tools with unit requirements.
-
Use of Multiple Assessment Instruments:
- One assessment instrument alone may not address all knowledge and performance requirements. Therefore, multiple instruments are combined to form a comprehensive assessment tool.
-
Validation of Assessment Tools:
- Assessment tools must undergo validation before use and at least every three years thereafter.
- Validation involves a meeting among assessors, remapping instruments to unit requirements, and ensuring compliance with all principles of assessment and rules of evidence.
-
Role of Trainers and Assessors:
- Trainers and assessors in the VET sector must not only understand but also apply the Principles of Assessment when designing and developing assessment tools.
- The TAEASS502 Design and Develop Assessment Tools unit is highlighted as a core unit in relevant qualifications.
Reviewing the comments from practitioners in the field:
- The complexity of the Principle of Validity is acknowledged, emphasizing its necessity for ensuring learner competence.
- Validity is seen as a means to make assessments fair and reasonable for all individuals.
- The importance of linking assessments to specific skills and avoiding measurement of unintended skills is highlighted.
- The repeatability of performance is emphasized as a result of meeting the Principle of Validity.
In summary, the Principle of Validity stands as a cornerstone in the realm of assessment, ensuring that the assessment process aligns with unit requirements and produces reliable and fair outcomes for learners in diverse contexts.
