Why CVQ?
The expectation is that the CVQ will provide for the free movement of artisans and other skilled persons within the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). It is hoped that the CVQ will be accessible to persons already in the workforce as well as students in secondary schools across the region.
How are candidates assessed for CVQ?
Teachers/assessors make use of both non-traditional and traditional strategies to instruct and to gather evidence using a variety of assessment instruments. Individuals may be assessed as many times as necessary to prove that they are competent in the specific area of work. Assessments may take the form of observation, role-play or simulation, interviews, written assessments, appraisal of portfolio and practical exercises. Internal verifiers, who are part of the staff, provide oversight to ensure consistency, accuracy and transparency in assessment. External verifiers visit the schools at appropriate intervals to assess candidates.
CXC employs a system to monitor key factors which impact on quality. These include, but are not limited to, (i) programme delivery mechanisms (ii) assessment and (iii) record keeping. This is done to ensure that the performance standards are kept in focus and that appropriate assessment guidelines are in place. Site visits are a significant component of the system of monitoring. These visits are intended to facilitate the gathering of essential data relative to the readiness of candidates for the award of the CVQ.
During these visits the CXC representatives use carefully designed data-gathering instruments and discussions with the staff and students of the school to elicit data on key aspects of implementation.
What does CXC look for?
Records & Record Keeping
1. The use of approved standards of competence, as the benchmark of competency standards
2. Facilities audit
3. Relevant curriculum materials and assessment plans
4. A framework for the comparison of evidence against competency standards to establish the performance level of the individual student
5. Details of qualifications and experience of assessors
6. Explicit rationale for the approach to the collection of a range of evidence
7. Effective methods for the storage & retrieval of evidence of competence
8. Efficient and effective feedback mechanisms in place
9. Evidence of appeals procedure in place
10. External Verifiers’ reports
11. Evidence of continuous assessment (use of logbooks; portfolios or similar documentation)
12. Records of meetings of assessors within skill areas, and with school administrators/internal verifiers
13. Internal Verifiers’ reports
14. Evidence of planning (meetings with assessors, internal verifier)
15. Realistic timetabling
Management of Assessment
1. Class lists & records of achievement
2. Valid, Reliable, Flexible and Fair assessment processes
3. Evidence of learner participation in the assessment process (signed assessment documents)
4. Evidence of planning (meetings with assessors, internal verifier)
5. Internal Verifiers’ reports
6. Evidence of use of a range of assessment instruments (use of logbooks; portfolios; checklists or similar documentation)
7. Evidence that facilities in place do provide opportunities for authentic assessment of performance.
8. Relevant curriculum materials and assessment plans
9. External Verifiers’ reports
What are approved standards?
These are the Regional benchmarks or specifications of expected work performance developed by the Caribbean Association of National Training Agencies (CANTA) and approved by CARICOM. These standards provide the basis for the curriculum materials used in the instructional setting of schools preparing candidates for the CVQ.
Who are the assessors?
These are individuals/teachers /instructors qualified in a specific vocational area and who are trained and certified to assess and judge the learners’ competence in that area.
Who are the internal verifiers?
These are members of the schools’ administration qualified in a specific vocational area and who are trained and certified to assess and judge the learners’ competence. Internal verifiers must be available to witness learners performance at strategic times during programme delivery.
Who are the external verifiers?
These are individuals from industry/the workplace, qualified in a specific vocational area and who are trained and certified to assess and judge competence in that area.
