Competence-Based Assessment (Assessing Assessment) - Softcover

Wolf, Alison

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0335190235 ISBN 13: 9780335190232

Publisher: Open University Press, 1995

Synopsis

Competence-based assessment is the cornerstone of the UK Government's reforms of vocational training and of non-academic full-time education post-16. Australia has adopted similar policies, and there is considerable interest in the notion of 'competence' in both Europe and North America. Alison Wolf describes the main characteristics of the competence-based approach as it has emerged in the UK, and traces its origins in American experimental programmes of the 1970s. The arguments for the approach are discussed in detail. Many of these arguments derive from the demonstrable limitations of more conventional assessment, especially in predicting work performance. She then analyses the theoretical assumptions which competence-based assessment shares with the criterion-referenced movement as a whole, distinguishing clearly between those claims which can be sustained and those which cannot. She also synthesizes the growing body of evidence on implementation. Many lessons have now been learned about whether and how one can establish a workable, robust and reliable competence-based system. It has become evident both that the preconditions for success are often missing, and that, if they are ignored, competence-based 'reforms' may have largely negative consequences. The final chapter reviews the prospects for competence-based awards, and offers some conclusions on what is essential to a competence-based approach.

About this title

About the Author

Eric R. Wolf(1923-1999) had an illustrious and influential career as Distinguished Professor of Anthropology at H. Lehman College and the Graduate School of the City University of New York.

Review

"...balanced and concise..." - Times Educational Supplement "This is an excellent book...I am sure that it will find its way onto the reading lists of many courses concerned with training and education issues." - Competence Bulletin "...it makes a valuable contribution to the debate surrounding assessment and it provides an informative and considered view of the background, current position and future prospects for competence-based assessment." - Journal of Curriculum Studies

Edition details

• Publisher: Open University Press
• Publication date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0335190235
• ISBN 13: 9780335190232
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 176