RTO Compliance Tip – Student evidence
When considering student evidence, Authenticity MUST be checked. Authenticity means the assessor is assured that the evidence presented for assessment is the learner’s own work.
If substantial portions of the evidence submitted are gathered through independent study (e.g. assignments or projects) rather than direct observation, consider using online systems to check work submissions for plagiarism and identical content in other submissions.
It is critical that evidence provided by a candidate is a reflection of their work and not the product of others. Impersonation is a significant challenge in assessment, particularly when it is conducted at a distance or on-line. Asking candidates to sign declarations of authenticity is often not sufficient.
Consider ways of having the assessor conduct some form of direct engagement with the candidate, to enable the assessor to confirm that the evidence provided by a candidate is truly theirs.
Gathering evidence and obtaining authenticy.
To ensure all unit requirements are addressed, and to identify opportunities to conduct holistic assessment of multiple requirements, the performance evidence and knowledge evidence requirements are documented, then ‘mapped’ to the assessment tasks prior to assessment being conducted.
Any assessment decision of the RTO is justified, based on the evidence of performance of the individual learner.
Validity requires:
- assessment against the unit(s) of competency and the associated assessment requirements covers the broad range of skills and knowledge that are essential to competent performance;
- assessment of knowledge and skills is integrated with their practical application;
- assessment to be based on evidence that demonstrates that a learner could demonstrate these skills and knowledge in other similar situations; and
- judgement of competence is based on evidence of learner performance that is aligned to the
unit/s of competency and associated assessment requirements.