Access to Fair Assessment Policy

Access to fair assessment policy

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Statement on Assessment

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We aim to provide an assessment framework which provides all students with the opportunity

to achieve their full potential by the most appropriate and direct route.

Our assessment policy is based on the concepts of equality, diversity, clarity, consistency and

openness. We will endeavour to ensure that all our assessment processes are fair and

nondiscriminatory.

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Access

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Learners are made aware of the existence of this policy and have open access to it:

On paper or electronically at

All assessors are made aware of the contents and purpose of this policy. This policy is

reviewed annually and may be revised in response to feedback from learners, assessors, and

external organisations.

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Policy Statement

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What learners Can Expect From Us

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Every learner studying with TDLC will be assessed fairly.

This means that:

Assessment will be a test of the learner’s knowledge, what they understand, and

what they are able to do.

For any particular qualification, every learner will be assessed using the same overall set

of exercises and criteria.

Assessments will be standardised across different assessors to ensure that all students have

been judged against the same standards.

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Learners can also expect:

A Learning Plan at the beginning of a course

Appropriate assessment opportunities during the course

Learning outcomes, performance criteria and other significant elements of learning

and assessment will be made clear at the outset of a course and when assignments

are given.

All work will be assessed. Constructive and focused feedback, including written and

verbal, will be given by the assessor, to enable the learner to improve their performance.

When work is required to be marked, it will be carried out within 2 weeks of

submission by the learner.

Where a learner’s work does not satisfy the criteria for passing an assessment, in

whole or in part, they will be provided with clear feedback on the basis on which the

assessment was made.

Learners will gain full accreditation for all prior learning on production of the

necessary paperwork

Learners will not be limited to how many times they may take a course.

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What we expect from Learners

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Learners are expected to meet all deadlines for course work and assignments

Learners are expected to achieve the assessment criteria within the given timescale

All work submitted for assessment purposes must be the learner’s own. Any work

submitted that is not completely their own, will be regarded as cheating.

Submissions must not include any discriminatory or divisive language. Use of such

language will result in failure of the assessment and the possibility of disciplinary

action

Students are expected to inform TDLC of any expected periods of absence

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Cheating and Plagiarism

A fair assessment of a learner’s work can only be made if that work is entirely

their own. Therefore, learners can expect to fail their assessments if:

They are found guilty of copying, giving or sharing information or answers, unless

part of a joint project

They use an unauthorised aid during a test or examination

They copy another learners answers during a test or examination

They talk during a test or examination

They give test information to learners who have not yet taken the test

Where an assessor suspects cheating or plagiarism, they must make an assessment as to the

seriousness of the incident. If it is considered to be a minor infringment then the assessor

may:

Deal with the matter and provide help and guidance to the student, or

Issue a warning about future conduct, or

Direct the learner to the Cheating and Plagiarism section of the Fair Assessment

Policy

If the incident is considered to be a major infringement, then the assessor will:

Report the matter to their Manager and arrange a disciplinary hearing

Review the assessment policy with the learner concerned, inform them of the

disciplinary hearing, and also of their right to appeal

Attend the disciplinary hearing with the learner

The Manager will listen to evidence from the learner and the assessor, and will take

into account whether this is an internal or external assessment or examination.

TDLC Assessment policy v2.2016 Apr

For an internal assessment the Manager should:

Refuse to accept the assignment and ask for the work to be redone

Issue a written warning as to future conduct of the learner

Strongly impress on the learner the reasons for having a Fair Assessment Policy

For an external assessment the Manager should:

Refuse to accept the assignment and ask for the work to be redone

Refuse to submit the work for assessment or verification

Inform the External Quality Reviewer

Determine whether or not to withdraw the learner from the qualification

The decision of the Centre Manager will be final, subject to appeal.

Procedure for Appeals by Students

If a learner feels that they have not been assessed or disciplined fairly then they should use

the Appeals & Complaints Procedure to appeal the assessment or disciplinary decision.