SECTION 1:  UNDERSTANDING MODERATION OF AN OUTCOMES-BASED ASSESSMENT SYSTEM.

1. INTRODUCTION 

Effective moderation systems allow everyone involved in outcomes-based assessment to have confidence in the assessment decisions made. Moderation is all about ensuring, the quality of the assessment process and all the relevant assessment practices meeting the requirements advocated by the ETQA’s.

1.1 IMPORTANCE OF MODERATION IN QUALITY ASSURED ASSESSMENT AND RECOGNITION SYSTEMS (SO 1, AC 1)

Quality in the NQF is aimed at three different processes:

• The product or outcome: awards, achievement of standards of standards or qualifications, accreditation
• The inputs: learning provision, programmes, learning and learner resources, life or experiential learning
• The process: the quality of the learning and assessment interactions; the quality of the monitoring and auditing interactions

Moderation is seen by SAQA, as the’ … process, which ensures that assessment of the outcomes described in the national Qualifications Framework (NQF) standards and qualifications is fair, valid and reliable’. The process of moderation is to ensure that all assessment practices are consistent an accurate.

The main functions of moderation are:

• To verify that assessment are fair, valid, reliable and practicable
• To identify the need to redesign assessments if required
• To provide an appeals procedure to dissatisfied learners
• To provide a procedure for the re-assessment of learners
• To evaluate the performance of assessors
• To provide procedures for the de-registration of unsatisfactory assessors
• To provide feedback to the NSB’s on unit standards and qualifications

The moderation process can be seen as mirroring the process of assessment, in that the principles of assessment apply equally to moderation.

The next diagram shows the quality assurance route.

The moderation process involves the following key steps

• Plan and prepare for moderation
• Conduct moderation
• Advise and support assessors
• Report, record and administer moderation

Review moderation systems and processes