REVIEW OF EXTERNAL MODERATION

SQA has recently completed a review of its external moderation system.  The review concluded that the current system does not meet the needs of all SQA provision and made a series of recommendations for an improved system of external moderation.  We are currently developing a pilot model to implement these recommendations.

The new model is intended to provide a flexible, practical and cost-effective system for the wide range of SQA provision and different types of centre.

External moderation will now consider interim as well as complete evidence for all qualification types.  Moderation activity will no longer rely entirely on completion dates, but will move to year-round activity.  This activity will be carried out by a rolling programme based on an analysis of risk and need for centres and awards.  Moderation activity will no longer solely be determined by a fixed national sampling rate.

The use of interim evidence and the rolling programme will be piloted over the next two sessions.  Initial indications from NQ centres have been very positive to date as the development potential of these changes has been welcomed.

The review also recommends that all Higher National centres should be visited in the course of a session and that a programme of intensive moderation events for Higher National centres should be implemented over the next two sessions.

SQA will continue to meet its regulatory requirements for the quality assurance of Scottish Vocational Qualifications, but activity will be based on a centre's moderation history rather than upon entry information.

The review also supports the wider inclusion of centre staff in the moderation process to ensure understanding of national standards and to allow SQA to be confident that national standards are being maintained.  One of the principal suggestions in this area is the introduction of moderation networks for NQ centres.  These will be programmes of development events for staff in presenting centres, run by moderators and providing illustrative material from moderation events.

Comments on the proposed model for external moderation and the pilot arrangements are welcomed and should be sent to the Moderation Manager (jean.allan@sqa.org.uk).