QCAA assessment glossary The purpose of this glossary is to promote a clear and common understanding of specialised assessment terms as they are used in QCAA publications. Each explanation of a term complements the normal dictionary definition, building on the normal meaning, rather than contradicting it. Conventions Cross references: words in the explanations set in bold type are also listed in their own right. Related terms: are grouped together, indented under the key term, e.g. • under assessment you will find both formative assessment and summative assessment • under folio (student) you will find exit folio and verification folio Updates and revisions This glossary will be updated periodically to reflect changes in terms and usage. Older versions will be retained in the glossary, set in grey text (50% tint), to enable readers and writers to understand earlier texts and the changes over time. Term Explanation Context A ability/capacity What a person can actually do, not what s/he might be able to do in future (see aptitude/potential). accreditation The policy and procedures developed to implement the QCAA’s legislative function to accredit a syllabus or guideline for implementation in Queensland schools Senior phase of learning The process used to formally recognise national qualifications not covered by nationally endorsed training packages. VET accredited course A structured sequence of vocational education and training that has been accredited by a state or territory accrediting body and leads to an AQF qualification or statement of attainment. VET achievement The extent to which a student has demonstrated knowledge, skills, values and attitudes as the result of the teaching and learning process. Not the same thing as ability/capacity or aptitude/potential. aims (global) Statements of the long term achievements as well as attitudes and values that are to be developed by students of a subject, but which are not directly assessed by the school. approved subject See subject (approved). r2561 Rebranded July 2014 Senior phase of learning Term Explanation Context aptitude/potential What a person might be able to do in future (compare with ability/capacity). assess Apply or administer an assessment instrument or assessment regime to make judgments about students’ achievements. assessable element Valued features of the KLA for which evidence of student learning is collected and assessed. Early and middle phases of learning Task specific assessable element Significant and discrete aspects of the assessable elements that are identified in order to make an assessment judgment. Early and middle phases of learning assessing school A school that provides senior secondary education to students enrolled at the school and that assesses students for any approved subjects. Senior phase of learning assessment The purposeful and systematic collection of information about students’ achievements. analytical assessment The separate assessment of each of several criteria. Each criterion is scored on a different descriptive scale. authentic assessment Involves students applying and using relevant knowledge and theoretical and practical skills to create a product or a response to a meaningful problem or issue. competency based assessment The process of collecting evidence and making judgments on whether competency has been achieved, to confirm that an individual can perform to the standard expected in the workplace, as expressed by the relevant endorsed industry/enterprise competency standards of a training package or by the learning outcomes of an accredited course. continuous assessment Gathering evidence about students’ achievements throughout a course of study. criteria based assessment Judgments about student achievement are made by matching student work with previously identified criteria and standards descriptors. Until 31 November 2008. From 1 December see assessment (standards-based). diagnostic assessment Assessment whose major purpose is to determine the nature of students’ learning as a basis for providing appropriate feedback or intervention. formative assessment Assessment whose major purpose is to improve teaching and student achievement. holistic assessment Assessment that uses several criteria concurrently. The criteria are considered collectively, not individually. performance-based assessment Involves students demonstrating their skills and knowledge in response to an assessment task. school-based assessment Assessment devised, administered and marked by teachers as part of the school curriculum. QCAA assessment glossary VET Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority July 2014 Page 2 of 14 Term Explanation Context standards-based assessment Judging the quality of student achievement with reference to pre-stated standards. Replaces criteria-based assessment from 1 December 2008. summative assessment Assessment whose major purpose is to indicate the achievement status or standards achieved at particular points of schooling. It is geared toward reporting or certification. assessment guidelines Endorsed component of a training package that underpins assessment and sets out the industry’s approach to valid, reliable, flexible and fair assessment. assessment instrument The tool or device used to gather information about student achievement. Examples: • recorded observations of Year 11 students playing a game of volleyball in Physical Education at Still Water College in Semester 1, 2007 • write-up of a field trip to the local water catchment area by Year 10 students of Geography at Hidden Valley Christian School in August 2010 • the 1 April 2008 Year 3 class test of number facts at Yorky Bend SS • the 1999 Senior External Examination in Chinese • the 2006 QCS Test • the 2008 Year 4 English comparable assessment task. See also: assessment tool VET VET assessment item A subset or part of an assessment instrument. assessment materials Optional components of training packages that complement endorsed industry assessment guidelines. VET assessment plan Proposal submitted by a school, which outlines the way/s the school will collect evidence of student achievement in a selection of Essential Learnings (for school devised QCATs) Middle phase of learning assessment regime An established system for identifying, gathering and interpreting information about student achievement. Example: • The assessment regime in the senior phase of learning in Queensland is externally-moderated school-based assessment. assessment strategy A plan for the purposeful and systematic collection of information about students’ achievements. assessment task A particular type of assessment instrument, involving students applying and using relevant knowledge and theoretical and practical skills to create a product or a response to a meaningful problem or issue. assessment technique The method used to gather evidence about student achievement. Examples: • recorded observations of practical performances • write-up of a field trip QCAA assessment glossary Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority July 2014 Page 3 of 14 Term Explanation • • • • assessment tools Context class-room test external examination standardised test centrally-devised and locally marked assessment task The instrument/s and procedures used to gather and interpret evidence of competence: • Instrument — the specific questions or activity used to assess competence by the assessment method selected. An assessment instrument may be supported by a profile of acceptable performance and the decision-making rules or guidelines to be used by assessors. • Procedures — the information or instructions given to the candidate and the assessor about how the assessment is to be conducted and recorded. VET Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) The policy framework that defines all qualifications recognised nationally in post-compulsory education and training in Australia. The AQF comprises titles and guidelines that define each qualification, as well as the principles and protocols covering cross-sectoral qualification links and the issuing of qualifications and statements of attainment. Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) A set of nationally agreed quality assurance arrangements for training and assessment services delivered by training organisations. The first version of AQTF was implemented in 2002. It was revised in 2005 and again in 2007, including the identification of excellence criteria. VET Authority-registered subject A subject devised from a QCAA-developed study area specification for which a school’s study plan is approved. Senior phase of learning Authority subject A subject in which a syllabus has been approved and issued by the QCAA, a school’s work program is approved, student achievements are moderated and student results may contribute to OPs and FPs. Senior phase of learning B backwash effect The influence of certain actions on other things. Often used in the sense of assessment having a backwash effect on curriculum. benchmark A minimum standard for monitoring student achievement. National Assessment Program The continuous process of measuring and comparing products, services and practices with comparable systems or organisations both inside and outside the VET sector for the purpose of continuous improvement. VET C certificate A qualification awarded to students who have achieved identified knowledge and skills. QCAA assessment glossary Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority July 2014 Page 4 of 14 Term Explanation Context certification The act of issuing a qualification. capacity/ability See ability/capacity. comparability The consistent application of standards by teacher– assessors across the state so that student achievements of equivalent standards are recognised as such. competency The broad concept of industry competency concerns the ability to perform particular tasks and duties to the standard of performance expected in the workplace. Competency requires the application of specified skills and knowledge relevant to effective participation in an industry, industry sector or enterprise. units of competency See units of competency. VET consistency of teacher judgment Common interpretation by teachers over time, at both an individual and collective level, of the match between the evidence in student work and the standards. content/subject matter The material outlined in a syllabus that should be taught to students. content (core) The material outlined in a syllabus that must be taught to all students. elective content The material outlined in a syllabus that may be taught to students at the discretion of a school. continua model A tool for making judgments about the quality of students’ responses to an assessment instrument. It is composed of assessable elements and task-specific descriptors represented progressively on continua. course A planned or prescribed series of lessons. course of study An organised amount of learning described in a syllabus, training package, subject, course or project that meets the quality criteria. criteria See criterion. criteria sheet A tool for making judgments about the quality of students’ responses to an assessment instrument. It lists the properties or characteristics used to assess students’ achievements. criteria and standards matrix A chart in a syllabus describing the qualities of A–E grades of student achievement. Until 31 November 2008. From 1 December see standards matrix. criterion (plural criteria) Property or characteristic by which something is judged or appraised. curriculum (as content) The selected traditions of knowledge, skills and practices that education systems deem to be of value for construction by, and transmission to, successive generations of learners. curriculum (experienced) The sum of the learning and development experiences that are offered by a school, formally and informally, in class and out of class. QCAA assessment glossary VET Early and middle phases of learning Early and middle phases of learning Senior phase of learning Senior phase of learning Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority July 2014 Page 5 of 14 Term Explanation Context D design brief Describes the methodology for collecting evidence of student learning on QCATs. This brief provides a set of parameters to maximise validity and reliability in the creation and implementation of QCATs. Early and middle phases of learning Diagnostic Net A process used during the early phase of learning to monitor children’s learning and identify those children requiring additional support in literacy and numeracy. It includes diagnostic materials, moderation of teacher judgments, development and implementation of intervention programs to improve literacy and numeracy, and reporting to parents/carers. Early phase of learning dimension (of a subject) Salient characteristic or property of a subject or KLA. E early phase of learning See phases of learning. Essential Learnings Describe the Knowledge and understanding and Ways of working needed for ongoing learning, social and personal competence and participation in a democratic society. They identify what students should be taught and what is important for them to have opportunities to know and be able to do by the end of Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 in the KLAs. exemplar/ model response An example of a student response to an assessment instrument chosen to be typical of a designated Level of Achievement or grade. externally-moderated school-based assessment The assessment regime in Queensland’s senior phase of learning, in which teacher’s judgments of standards of achievement are moderated externally by panels of teachers trained and appointed by the QCAA. Early and middle phases of learning Senior phase of learning F folio (student) A collection of student responses to the assessment instruments over a course of study. exit folio The student folio at the time a student exits from a course of study. Senior phase of learning verification folio The student folio at the time of verification. Senior phase of learning Field Position (FP) Additional rank orders that supplement an OP. The term ‘field’ refers to one of five areas of emphasis in the curriculum in the senior phase of learning. FPs are used by tertiary institutions to provide greater differentiation between students in an OP band. Senior phase of learning QCAA assessment glossary Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority July 2014 Page 6 of 14 Term Explanation Context G grade A code representing the standard of student performance. Examples: • A–E Guide to making judgments A recording device that informs teachers and students about what is valued in students’ responses. Early and middle phases of learning indicative response An example student response that is typical of a designated grade or standard. Early and middle phases of learning indicator A description of learning that is typical of a phase of development. Early phase of learning I K key competencies key learning area (KLA) A set of general skills, understanding and abilities that underpin performance in all types of work and life. One of the eight broad areas into which the curriculum for Years 1-9 is organised. L learning account A learning account records a student’s enrolment and results in the different types of learning that may lead to a QCE. learning experience The activities teachers plan for students to achieve objectives/outcomes. learning project An independent and unique short program of learning created by a candidate for the QCE for the purpose of developing identified employability or lifelong learning skill sets. Senior phase of learning community learning project A learning project undertaken in a community context facilitated by a community organisation for which a candidate for the QCE is a volunteer or member. These projects target the development of identified lifelong learning skills. Senior phase of learning self-directed learning project A learning project undertaken by a candidate for the QCE as an extension of an education or training program provided by an eligible option provider. (Eligible options and providers are defined by the Education (General Provisions) Act, 2006, Chapter 10).These projects target the development of identified lifelong learning skills. Senior phase of learning workplace learning project A learning project undertaken by a candidate for the QCE in the workplace, where they are an employee. These projects target the development of identified employability skills in a real workplace. Senior phase of learning QCAA assessment glossary Senior phase of learning Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority July 2014 Page 7 of 14 Term Explanation Context Level of Achievement Use capitals for specific levels of achievement, but not for generic use: • The student attained a Very High Level of Achievement. The overall standard reached by students, described in five levels of achievement: • Very High Achievement • High Achievement • Sound Achievement • Limited Achievement • Very Limited Achievement. Senior phase of learning The overall standard reached by students by the time they complete a course of study in an Authority subject or Authority-registered subject. An exit level of achievement is usually issued at the end of four semesters of study, but may be issued at the end of one, two or three semesters of study if the student is exiting the course. Senior phase of learning A decision about the overall standard reached by a student at any time other than when they exit a course of study. Senior phase of learning • What level of achievement should we award this student? exit Level of Achievement interim Level of Achievement M middle phase of learning See phases of learning. model response/ exemplar See exemplar/model response. moderation Procedures to ensure that teacher judgments of standards achieved by students are comparable. external moderation A set of formal procedures designed to ensure that levels of achievement awarded in Authority subjects meet the requirements of syllabuses, and are comparable from school to school. internal moderation Procedures administered by a school to ensure that teacher judgments about standards are comparable within the school. social moderation A type of moderation in which groups of teachers meet to reach consensus about the quality of assessment instruments and the judgments of standards. Senior phase of learning N National Assessment Program — Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) NAPLAN is a standardised test completed annually by students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9, in all Australian states and territories. Performance data are used for the national reporting of students’ results in the areas of Reading, Writing, Spelling and Language Conventions, and Numeracy. QCAA assessment glossary Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority July 2014 Page 8 of 14 Term Explanation Context O objective/outcome Statement of what students should be able to know and do by the end of key junctures of schooling. objectives (affective) The attitudes, values and feelings a subject aims to develop, which may be manifest in overt student performance. Affective objectives are not assessed for the award of exit levels of achievement. Senior phase of learning general objectives Objectives specified in the syllabus or SAS that the school is intended to pursue directly and for which student achievement is assessed by the school. Senior phase of learning on-balance judgment A teacher’s decision as to the standard that best matches the quality of a student’s work overall, either for a single assessment instrument or across the entire course of study. outcome/objective see objective/outcome Overall Position (OP) A student’s state-wide rank based on overall achievement in Authority subjects. It indicates where the student is ranked in comparison with all other OP-eligible students in Queensland. Senior phase of learning Performance criteria specify the required level of performance expected in the workplace. They help an assessor check whether a performance has been achieved to the standard required. VET P performance criteria phases of learning The periods of schooling that have specific and distinctive developmental focuses. These are: • Early phase of learning: Years P–3 • Middle phase of learning: Years 4–9 • Senior phase of learning: Years 10–12 potential/aptitude See aptitude/potential. principles of assessment To ensure quality outcomes, assessment should be: fair, flexible, valid, reliable and sufficient. VET project (learning) See learning project. Senior phase of learning qualification Formal certification in the VET sector, by an RTO, that a person has satisfied all requirements of the units of competency or modules that comprise an AQF qualification, as specified by: (a) a nationally endorsed training package, or (b) an accredited course that provides training for that qualification. VET quality assurance The planned and systematic process of ensuring consistent application of registration requirements by RTOs. VET Q QCAA assessment glossary Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority July 2014 Page 9 of 14 Term Explanation Context quality criteria The mechanism for deciding whether a course of study can contribute to the Senior Statement and the QCE. Senior phase of learning Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) The certificate issued to students who have met quantity and quality achievement requirements in the senior phase of learning. The QCE is issued by the QCAA. Senior phase of learning QCE Delegate (QCAA) A person authorised as a representative of the QCAA, who recognises learning projects (workplace, community or self-directed) and who validates evidence of learning. Senior phase of learning Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement (QCIA) The certificate recognises the achievements of students who undertake individualised learning programs. Senior phase of learning Queensland Comparable Assessment Tasks (QCATs) Assessment instruments, which are authentic and performance-based, designed to provide students in Years 4, 6 and 9 with the opportunity to demonstrate what they know, understand and can do in a selection of Essential Learnings in English, Mathematics and Science. Middle phase of learning QCATs (centrally devised) Assessment tasks developed by the QCAA that have common requirements and parameters and are marked according to a common Guide to making judgments. Middle phase of learning QCATs (schooldevised) Assessment tasks developed by schools in accordance with a design brief and assessment plan. Middle phase of learning Queensland Core Skills (QCS) Test A common state-wide test designed for Year 12 students. It tests a set of generic skills identified in the Queensland senior school curriculum. The QCS Test contributes information for the calculation of OPs and FPs for tertiary entrance. Senior phase of learning Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) A statutory authority with responsibilities for curriculum, assessment and certification from P–12. R random sampling Part of the QCAT procedures, in which the QCAA reviews a stratified random sample of student responses. Middle phase of learning Part of the QCAA’s moderation procedures, in which the QCAA reviews a stratified random sample of student exit folios. Senior phase of learning recognition The legislative function to record results in recognised studies on the certification of achievement issued by the QCAA. Senior phase of learning recognition of prior learning (RPL) An assessment process that assesses an individual’s nonformal and informal learning to determine the extent to which that individual has achieved the required learning outcomes, competency outcomes, or standards for entry to, and/or partial or total completion of, a qualification. VET Registered Training A training organisation registered by a state or territory registering body in accordance with the AQTF 2007 VET QCAA assessment glossary Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority July 2014 Page 10 of 14 Term Explanation Context Organisation (RTO) Essential Standards for Registration within a defined scope of registration. A training organisation must be registered in order to deliver and assess nationally recognised training and issue nationally recognised qualifications. registration Queensland law requires young people to be earning or learning until they turn 17 or until they achieve a QCE or vocational qualification at Level III or higher. Young Queenslanders have their details recorded on a learning account during Year 10 or in the 12 months before they turn 16. reliability The degree to which the results of assessment are consistent, dependable or repeatable. report Summary statement (electronic or paper) that records students’ achievements review panels Panels of teachers who put into effect the QCAA’s moderation procedures. Senior phase of learning rubric A table that provides task-specific criteria to guide teacher judgments of student achievement. Early phase of learning rules of evidence These are closely related to the principles of assessment and provide guidance on the collection of evidence to ensure that it is valid, sufficient, authentic and current. VET Senior phase of learning S scaffolding The process of supporting students to respond to assessment instruments. school moderator The school principal, or delegate, who takes responsibility for the total assessment program of the school, and for implementing it in such a way that achievement information submitted to the QCAA is in keeping with the QCAA’s external moderation procedures. Senior phase of learning Senior External Examination A public examination administered by the QCAA to cater for candidates who study Authority subjects outside the school-based system. Senior phase of learning senior phase of learning See phases of learning. Senior Statement A transcript of the learning account received by all students who complete Year 12, regardless of whether they have met the requirements for the award of a QCE at that time. It records all contributing studies and the results achieved. It also includes the QCS Test result. Senior phase of learning set standard The standard of achievement that attracts credit towards the QCE. In VET, the set standard is competence, in Authority subjects and Authority-registered subjects it is at least Sound Achievement and in many other courses it is at least ‘pass’, or 4 on a 7-point scale. Senior phase of learning special consideration Variation of assessment conditions permitted for students with identified special needs. QCAA assessment glossary Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority July 2014 Page 11 of 14 Term Explanation Context standard of achievement Synonymous with standard of assessment. standard of assessment A fixed reference point used to describe how well students have achieved the outcomes, objectives or Essential Learnings in syllabuses. The descriptions of standards of assessment are derived by groups of teachers and subject experts describing the actual differences in examples of student work. standard of learning Statement of what students are expected to know and do by the end of key junctures of schooling (outcomes or objectives) and the scope of that learning (core content or subject matter). standards descriptor A statement (or list of statements) that succinctly conveys the required quality of, or features in, student work in order to be awarded a particular standard of achievement. standards matrix A chart in a syllabus describing the standards for A-E grades of student achievement. Replaces criteria and standards matrix from 1 December 2008. standardised test See test (standardised). statement of attainment Issued by an RTO when an individual has completed one or more units of competency from nationally recognised qualification/s or course/s. VET statement of results A transcript of the learning account for students not enrolled at a school. It shows all studies and the results achieved that may contribute towards the award of a QCE. Senior phase of learning student profile of achievement Records information about student performance on assessment instruments undertaken periodically throughout the course of study. Senior phase of learning student script Student response to a particular assessment instrument. Senior phase of learning Study Area Specification (SAS) A syllabus for an Authority-registered subject. Senior phase of learning study plan A course of study outline that is a translation of the requirements of a SAS into the context of a school. Study plans are approved by the QCAA. Senior phase of learning subject A course of study defined by a syllabus or SAS. approved subject A school subject for which there is a syllabus approved by the QCAA. subject achievement indicators (SAIs) Indicators of students’ relative achievements within a subject-group, within a school. SAIs are represented as numbers between 200 and 400, giving a range of 201 points. subject matter/content See content/subject matter. syllabus Senior phase of learning Senior phase of learning A document that prescribes the curriculum for a course of study for schools and includes standards of learning and standards of assessment. QCAA assessment glossary Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority July 2014 Page 12 of 14 Term Explanation Context T task-specific descriptors Statements for each task-specific assessable element that convey the expected qualities of student responses at each standard. test (standardised) A standardised test is administered and graded consistently for all students sitting the test. Students receive the same test items and the same instructions and, except for students granted special provisions, sit the test under the same conditions. The same standards are applied when marking student responses, resulting in comparability of reported grades. training and assessment strategy A framework that guides the learning requirements and the teaching, training and assessment arrangements of a VET qualification. It is the document that outlines the macro-level requirements of the learning and assessment process, usually at the qualification level. VET Training Package Use capitals for specific packages, but not for generic use. A nationally endorsed, integrated set of competency standards, assessment guidelines and AQF qualifications for specific industry, industry sector or enterprise. VET training program A program (also known as a learning program), developed by an RTO, that meets the training and assessment requirements of a qualification from a training package, one or more designated units of competency, or an accredited course. The training program may specify such matters as essential and elective units, the sequence and timing of training and assessments, and the resources required. It may form part of a training and assessment strategy. Early and middle phases of learning U units of competency (UoC) Specification of industry knowledge and skill and the application of that knowledge and skill to the standard of performance expected in the workplace. VET validation of assessment A process for ensuring that the way a unit of competence or group of units is assessed, and the evidence collected through these assessments, is consistent with the requirements of the unit or group of units, of competency and of industry. VET validity (construct) The degree to which an assessment instrument assesses what it was intended to assess. validity (content) The degree to which an assessment instrument accurately assesses a defined set of knowledge and skills. validity (face) The degree to which an assessment instrument appears to assess what on face value it purports to assess. verification Occurs towards the end of Year 12 as part of the V QCAA assessment glossary Senior phase Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority July 2014 Page 13 of 14 Term Explanation Context moderation procedures, through which review panels reach consensus on the standards exhibited in verification folios. of learning A document approved by the QCAA that provides the detail of how a school intends to implement a syllabus for an Authority Subject. Senior phase of learning W work program QCAA assessment glossary Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority July 2014 Page 14 of 14
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