Assessment Policy
1. Introduction
NAHSI takes its responsibility for ensuring the quality and reliability of assessment very seriously. It recognises that high quality assessment practices are an important element of the volunteer learning experience and that the outcomes of assessment could influence younger volunteers' future lives. The NAHSI Mission Statement emphasises the importance of providing training of national repute and the impact that such training could have on the future of aviation heritage conservation work.
A secondary but key feature of NAHSI training is that assessment (and hence accreditation) is an optional process. Volunteers shall be advised of this and be asked to decide whether or not to undergo formal assessment.
This policy outlines the purposes and principles that guide assessment across all modules offered by the project and identifies where the major responsibilities for assessment lie.
2. The purpose of assessment
The primary purpose of assessment of NAHSI is to enable volunteers to develop and demonstrate their potential. More specifically, NAHSI expects assessment to:
- assist volunteer learning by providing appropriate feedback on performance;
- measure volunteers’ achievements objectively against the learning outcomes of modules;
- provide a reliable and consistent basis for the recommendation of an appropriate grade or award;
- assist staff in evaluating the effectiveness of their training.
However, NAHSI takes the view that assessment is a multi dimensional set of processes and this is reflected in the distinctiveness and diversity of assessment processes found in its volunteer training modules.
3. General principles of assessment
The general principles on which all assessment is based are made explicit in this section of the policy; the expectations in relation to each principle are described.
3.1 Assessment will be reliable
Reliability refers to the need for assessment to be accurate and repeatable. This requires clear and consistent processes for the setting and marking of modules.
3.2 Assessment will be valid
Validity ensures that assessment tasks and associated criteria will effectively measure the volunteer attainment of the intended learning outcomes.
3.3 Information about assessment will be explicit and accessible
Clear, accurate, consistent and timely information on assessment tasks and procedures will be made available to volunteers, staff and other external assessors or examiners.
3.4 Assessment will be inclusive and equitable
Inclusive and equitable assessment will ensure that tasks and procedures do not disadvantage any group or individual.
3.5 Assessment will be relevant to the module aims and outcomes
Assessment tasks will primarily reflect the nature of the discipline or subject but will also ensure that volunteers have the opportunity to develop a range of generic skills and capabilities.
3.6 Feedback will be an integral part of the assessment process
Volunteers are entitled to feedback on any matters arising from attending NAHSI training courses. The process of feedback should be stated at the beginning of each session and is included in the NAHSI Complaints Procedure.
3.9 Each module may include a variety of assessment types
Variety in assessment allows a range of learning outcomes to be appropriately assessed. In addition varied assessment tasks support a range of approaches to learning and ensure that accessibility is planned for and addressed.
4. Responsibility for assessment
4.1 The day-to-day responsibility for assessment lies with the Instructional staff.
4.2 Responsibility for the NAHSI assessment policy, procedures and regulations lies with the NAHSI Training Steering Group and shall be exercised by the NAHSI Project Co-ordinator.
5. Review and compliance
5.1 This policy forms one element of the NAHSI strategic plan and is subject to annual processes of review.
5.2 The policy is monitored by the NAHSI Training Steering Group to ensure that it is responsive to external and internal requirements.
