Validation Policy

Purpose

The Purpose of this policy is to ensure the quality review of the assessment process. Validation ensures that the assessment tools produce evidence-based judgements that are valid, reliable, sufficient, current, and authentic in order to meet the requirements of the training package or Vocational Education and Training (VET) accredited course. Validation also helps maintain consistency across all delivery methods and locations.

Scope

This Policy applies to all VET courses delivered by Alphacrucis University College (AC) and its third-party partners.

Policy

Definition

Validation is the quality review of the assessment process. Validation involves checking that the assessment tool/s produce/s valid, reliable, sufficient, current and authentic evidence to enable reasonable judgements to be made as to whether the requirements of the training package or VET accredited courses are met. It includes reviewing a statistically valid sample of the assessments and making recommendations for future improvements to the assessment tool, process and/or outcomes and acting upon such recommendations.

Policy

1. AC will maintain a Validation Plan which outlines:

• Who will lead and participate in validation activities
• Which training package or accredited course will be the focus of the validation
• When assessment validation will occur
• What validation tools will be used
• How the outcomes of the validation will be documented and acted upon to continuously improve assessment.

2. The VET Program Director will develop a systematic validation schedule for each course under his or her supervision to be validated at least once every five years, with at least 50% of the units validated within the first three years.

3. At least two units of competency should be sampled when validating a qualification.

4. The Learning and Teaching Committee will nominate the lead, independent validator and relevant members of the validation team, including the VET Program Director. Where the validation relates to delivery in a LOTE, the external validator shall be bilingual in both A and B (normally English) languages.

5. Validations must consist of at least two people comprising of people who collectively have:

a.  relevant vocational competencies and current industry skills;

b.  current knowledge and skills in vocational teaching and education;

c.  the TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, or assessor skill set; and

d.  at least one person not directly involved in the delivery of the particular unit being validated.

6. Training and assessment units will undergo an independent validation. Persons leading and participating in the validation must;

a.  not be employed or subcontracted by AC; and

b.  have no other involvement or interest in the operations of AC.

7. The outcomes of the validation will be reported to the Learning and Teaching Committee.

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Procedures

Validation Procedure

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