Quality Standard 9: Learner Assessment and Evaluation



...

Scope:

Assessment and evaluation are essential features of the teaching and learning process that are properly managed, and reflect institutional, national and international standards. The institution publishes its academic grading policy and applies it with fairness and consistency. Assessment and Evaluation are based on the stated programme objectives and intended learning outcomes. Students assessment is an integral aspect of the teaching and learning processes and consists of authentic assessment, assessment of and assessment for learning.


Summary of Standard Criteria

  1. The institution's teaching-learning processes include formative and summative assessment.
  2. Assessment and evaluation are aligned with stated learning outcomes.
  3. Learners are informed about the different types of assessment and techniques for the course.
  4. There are systems for the tracking and recording of the learners’ performance and progress and timely communication of the same to the learners.
  5. The institution has an assessment policy that is in line with national benchmarks and other appropriate accreditation bodies, and the policy is implemented. Online assessment meets the policy requirements of the institution.
  6. The institution ensures the security of assessment processes.
  7. There is provision for internal and external moderation regarding all aspects of assessment.
  8. Appropriate measures are in place to ensure the integrity of assessment.
  9. Assessment results are documented and communicated to all learners in a timely manner.
  10. Feedback from learners on the institution’s assessment processes is collected on a regular basis.
  11. Data on progression and graduation rates is collected and analysed on an ongoing basis. The analysis results are shared with relevant stakeholders and used for improvement purposes.
  12. Assessment scripts and data are properly stored or archived in secure environments.

Quality Assurance Evaluation

Performance Measure Keys:
  • 0: Fails to meet criterion
  • 1: Unsatisfactory
  • 2: Marginal
  • 3: Good
  • 4: Excellent
Criteria Standards Performance Indicators Sources of Evidence Performance Measure Motivation/Comments
9.1 The institution's teaching- learning processes include formative and summative assessment. 9.1.1 The assessment outcomes are analysed and used to improve teaching methods and improve the curriculum. Assessment Strategy/ Policy, Course materials, minutes of the course planning and course design committees, MIS, database, interaction with students, staff and employers, data on student assessment and results of analysis. 0 1 2 3 4
9.1.2 The assessment process forms an integral part of teaching and learning, such that assessment outcomes are systematically analysed to inform improvements in the curriculum design. Assessment analysis reports Coherent assessment guidelines. 0 1 2 3 4
9.1.3 There is a range of appropriate assessment tasks and methods for validating learning outcomes in each course. Institution’s rules and regulations, course materials, qualifications framework, minutes of the course planning and course design committees, student handbook, and information package, interaction with management, students and staff. 0 1 2 3 4
9.1.4 There is transparency, fairness and consistency in the assessment system Institution’s rules and regulations, course materials, moderator reports, external examiner reports, minutes of the examination, evaluation and moderation committees, student handbook, information package, interaction with students and staff. 0 1 2 3 4
9.2 Assessment and evaluation are aligned with stated learning outcomes. 9.2.1 Assessment tasks undertaken by the learners test the stated learning outcomes and are in line with the appropriate exit level descriptors. Institution’s objectives, course materials, minutes of the course planning and course design committees, student handbook, information package, interaction with management, students and staff. Institution’s rules and regulations, minutes of the course planning and course design committees, intended learning outcomes, qualifications framework, 0 1 2 3 4
9.3 Learners are informed about the different types of assessment and techniques for the course. 9.3.1 There are clear procedures for assessment, including guidelines for submission, grading, and feedback in both contact and online contexts and they are effectively communicated. Institution’s rules and regulations, course materials, constitution, student handbook, information package, qualifications framework, interaction with management, students and staff. 0 1 2 3 4
9.3.2 Practical assessments, such as projects and industrial attachments, evaluate the application of acquired knowledge and skills to real-life situations. - 0 1 2 3 4
9.3.3 The course information package provides the details of the assessment, the assessment techniques, the intended learning outcomes and timelines. - 0 1 2 3 4
9.3.4 Assessment procedures are clear, accessible, and suitable for various modes, including online contexts,. - 0 1 2 3 4
9.3.5 Induction and orientation programmes for learners at course commencement provide information on assessment expectations. Induction programmes, schedules, year planner, student handbook, information package, interaction with students and staff. 0 1 2 3 4
9.4 There are systems for the tracking and recording of the learners’ performance and progress and timely communication of the same to the learners. 9.4.1 Procedures for both formative and summative assessment ensure consistency and accuracy of grading and provide timely feedback and guidance to learners. Institution’s rules and regulations, constitution, student handbook, Moderator reports, information package, MIS, interaction with administrators, data from online assessment students and staff. 0 1 2 3 4
9.4.2 A question bank is used for generating electronically-offered questions of comparable difficulty levels, along with rubrics for grading consistency Items database guidelines on setting assessment tasks 0 1 2 3 4
9.4.3 Learners receive timely feedback and self- assess themselves through online quizzes and self-assessment questions. Policy guidelines on assignment turnaround times. Systems that ensures adherence to providing timely and useful feedback 0 1 2 3 4
9.4.4 All summative assessment grades are processed and accurately recorded and released on the learner’s record/portal and are communicated within the defined timelines using appropriate technologies Institution’s rules and regulations, constitution, student handbook, LMS, information package, MIS, interaction with administrators, students and staff. 0 1 2 3 4
9.4.5 Formative assessment enables the learners to improve on their weaknesses to ensure academic success. MIS, LMS, interaction with administrators, students and staff. 0 1 2 3 4
9.4.6 The automation of assessment and evaluation data is encouraged. LMS, Teaching and Learning Policy, ICT Policy, ICT Infrastructure, Staff Training records. 0 1 2 3 4
9.4.7 The LMS integrates all relevant units and provides appropriate access levels for assessment-related activities. - 0 1 2 3 4
9.5 The institution has an assessment policy that is in line with national benchmarks and other appropriate accreditation bodies, and the policy is implemented institution. Online assessment meets the policy requirements of the institution. 9.5.1 Online assessment items encourage critical thinking, creativity, and demonstration of in- depth knowledge and competencies. Quality assurance mechanisms and policies of the institution, Appeals Policy, Appeals Committee records, QA policy documents, corporate plans, records on QA including internal audit reports. 0 1 2 3 4
9.5.2 There are quality assurance mechanisms in place to ensure fair and reliable assessment of learners as stated in the institutional policy. - 0 1 2 3 4
9.5.3 The grading standards are aligned and are consistent with those of other national agencies and accreditation bodies. Institution’s rules and regulations, policy documents, selection procedures, minutes of the examination, Qualifications Framework, evaluation and moderation committees, External Examiner reports, schedules and content of orientation programmes, feedback data, interaction with the staff and management. 0 1 2 3 4
9.5.4 The standards and quality of assessment are rigorously monitored and maintained. Where online assessment is used, appropriate measures are taken to ensure the credibility of such assessment. Institution’s rules and regulations, course materials, minutes of the examination evaluation and moderation committees, Qualifications Framework, External Examiner reports, student handbook, information package, interaction with students and staff. 0 1 2 3 4
9.5.5 The institution has standardised tutor marking schemes and assessment rubric. Institution’s rules and regulations, performance evaluation reports, review committee minutes, MIS, Minutes of Marking and Moderation meetings, Moderator reports, External Examiner reports, interaction with administrators, management and staff. 0 1 2 3 4
9.5.6 The institution holds regular standardisation meetings with tutors and course coordinators. Institution’s rules and regulations, performance evaluation reports, review committee schedules and minutes, MIS, Minutes of Marking and Moderation meetings, Moderator reports, External Examiner reports, interaction with administrators, management and staff. 0 1 2 3 4
9.6 The institution ensures the security of assessment processes. 9.6.1 Arrangements for the security of locally administered summative assessments are in place.

Policies and procedures for proctoring electronic and online examinations, addressing plagiarism and ensuring the originality of learners' outcomes, are in place and implemented 		Manual of examination procedures; Examination By- Laws, physical and electronic security infrastructure, segregation of duties. 0 1 2 3 4
9.6.2 Procedures are in place to ensure the security of personal information during the assessment process. Manual of examination procedures; Examination By- Laws, Unique identification codes. 0 1 2 3 4
9.6.3 Arrangements are in place to ensure that the integrity of the certification processes is not compromised Manual of examination procedures; AI Policy, Examination By- Laws. 0 1 2 3 4
9.7 There is provision for internal and external moderation regarding all aspects of assessment.. 9.7.1 Approved procedures relating to setting, marking and release of the results are in place and are being implemented. Procedures relating to the different aspects of assessment; outcome of implementation, Moderator reports, External Examiner Reports. 0 1 2 3 4
9.7.2 There are procedures to ensure that examiners apply the marking scheme in a consistent manner. Quality assurance mechanisms and policies of the institution, policy documents, Moderator reports, External Examiner Reports, corporate plans, records on QA, QA mechanisms of relevant regulatory bodies and institution’s rules and regulations. 0 1 2 3 4
9.7.3 The assessment strategy of the institution has provision for internal and external moderation . Institution’s rules and regulations, course materials, constitution, minutes of the grievance and disciplinary committees, student handbook, Moderator reports, External Examiner Reports, information package, interaction with management, students and staff. 0 1 2 3 4
9.8 Appropriate measures are in place to ensure the integrity of assessment. 9.8.1 The learners are made aware of ethical practices and code of conduct for submission of assignments and project work and for sitting examinations. Institution’s rules and regulations, code of conduct and ethical practices, Student’s constitution, minutes of the grievance and disciplinary committees, student handbook, information package, interaction with management, students and staff. 0 1 2 3 4
9.8.2 There is a clearly stated disciplinary procedure for handling malpractices and violation of code of conduct and ethical standards relating to copying, plagiarism, reproduction of open- source materials and Intellectual Property Rights. Anti-Plagiarism Policy software, Intellectual Property Policy, Open Educational Resources Policy, Institution’s rules and regulations, code of conduct and ethical practices, constitution, minutes of the grievance and disciplinary committees, student handbook, information package, interaction with management, students and staff. 0 1 2 3 4
9.8.3 The institution adheres to the disciplinary procedures and initiates timely and justifiable disciplinary action wherever applicable. Institution’s rules and regulations, code of conduct and ethical practices, constitution, minutes of the grievance and disciplinary committees, student handbook, information package, interaction with management, students and staff. 0 1 2 3 4
9.8.4 There is a mechanism to ensure that complaints and appeals from learners on assessment are dealt with fairly and in a timely manner.. Institution’s rules and regulations, Complaints Procedure, Appeals Policy, code of conduct and ethical practices, constitution, minutes of the grievance and disciplinary committees, student handbook, information package, interaction with management, students and staff. 0 1 2 3 4
9.9 Assessment results are documented and communicated without delay to all learners. 9.9.1 At the beginning of every academic session, the institution decides and communicates the timelines for student assessment results. Institution’s rules and regulations, course materials, minutes of the course planning and course design committees, student handbook, LMS, information package, interaction with management, students and staff and corporate plan. 0 1 2 3 4
9.9.2 The institution adheres to the scheduled timelines. Institution’s rules and regulations, course materials, minutes of the course planning and course design committees, student handbook, LMS, information package, interaction with management, students and staff and corporate plan. 0 1 2 3 4
9.9.3 The institution ensures transparency in assessment by communicating the procedures and processes through various media. Institution’s rules and regulations, course materials, student handbook, information package, LMS, Advertisements, interaction with management, students and staff. 0 1 2 3 4
9.9.4 The institution has systems in place for the timely provision of transcripts. Institution’s rules and regulations, course materials, minutes of the course planning and course design committees, student handbook, LMS, information package, interaction with management, students and staff and corporate plan. 0 1 2 3 4
9. 10 Feedback from learners on the institution’s assessment processes is collected on a regular basis. 9.10.1 Learner satisfaction surveys are regularly collected, analysed and disseminated for appropriate action Analysis of Feedback Results, LMS, database, Minutes of meetings to discuss Learner Feedback, Learner Satisfaction Index. 0 1 2 3 4
9.11 Data on progression and graduation rates is collected and analysed on an ongoing basis. The analysis results are shared with relevant stakeholders and used for improvement purposes. 9.11.1 Completion rates of learners are aligned with the institutional targets. Analysis of Completion Rates, LMS, database, Reports on various flowrates, Academic Regulations, General Regulations 0 1 2 3 4
9.11.2 Completion, retention and progression rates are monitored continuously. Institution’s rules and regulations, information package, Analysis of Completion Rates, LMS, database, Reports on various flowrates, Academic Regulations, General Regulations, minutes of the course coordinators’ meetings, feedback, course materials, interaction with staff, students and alumni. 0 1 2 3 4
9.11.3 The institution has a mechanism for reviewing the effectiveness of the processes and the assessment system's overall performance. Institution’s rules and regulations, information package, minutes of the course coordinators’ meetings, LMS, Learner feedback, course materials, interaction with staff, students and alumni. 0 1 2 3 4
9.11.4 The institution provides periodic reports on academic performance to stakeholders including employers. MLS, database, website, advocacy materials, advertisements, letters to stakeholders, University Council Minutes. 0 1 2 3 4
9.11.5 The institution publishes the results of annual surveys of graduate employment. LMS, database, website, advocacy materials, advertisements, Tracer Studies, Employer Satisfaction Surveys. 0 1 2 3 4
9.11.6 All assessment scripts and materials are properly stored for easy retrieval for a stipulated period. Documented system of safe keeping of scripts. 0 1 2 3 4
9.11.7 All assessment-related data in digital format is properly archived for easy retrieval System of archiving assessment-related data. 0 1 2 3 4
Quality Standard 8 Quality Standard 10