A05: Evaluation of participant learning

Preamble

The Canadian Police College (CPC) is responsible for the assessment and evaluation of participants' performance through the application of standards that guide assessment, and evaluation.

Formative and summative evaluation processes of assessment provides timely and specific feedback to participants as they work towards the achievement of learning outcomes. It informs participants of their current level of achievement in a course.

Formative assessments refers to a wide variety of methods that are used to conduct in-process evaluations of participant comprehension, learning needs, and academic progress during a lesson, unit, or course.

Summative assessments are used to evaluate a participant's learning, skill acquisition, and academic achievement at the conclusion of a defined instructional period—typically at the end of a project, unit, course, or program.

Directive

1. Participant learning is evaluated throughout the duration of the course.
2. The Course instructor in collaboration with the Academic Standards and Learning Development unit establishes a process for the evaluation of participants' performance.
3. This process and specific mechanisms for the assessment and evaluation of participant performance are published in all course design documents (CDD), which are authorized by the Director of Police Sciences.
4. Evaluation of participant performance is based on criteria that reflect the learning requirements and learning objectives established for the course.
5. Evaluation results are formally documented and accessible to the participant.
6. Participants have the right to appeal evaluation decisions.
7. A certificate of achievement is issued to successful participants.

Grade Designations without Numeric Value (alpha grade)

• Pass (P) indicates the participant has passed the course
• Fail (F) means the participant has failed the course.
• Incomplete (IC) indicates the participant has not completed the course requirements within the time allotted but is progressing satisfactorily. Normally the reasons for incomplete status is due to illness, bereavement, other personal reasons, or urgent operational needs.

Procedures, roles and responsibilities

1.1 Course Design Document include:

1. clear statements of the required learning that is to be achieved in order to
   successfully complete the course;
2. the evaluation methods/instruments used to evaluate participant
   performance is, but not limited to, projects, written tests, assignments, and the linkage of each to the specific learning objectives;
3. the intervals during the course when participant performance will be assessed;
4. the criteria and method for determining the final grade designation; and
5. conditions for granting supplemental re-evaluations of a participant, if applicable.

1.2 All changes made to the evaluation process after participants have received the
course syllabus must be made in consultation with the Academic Standards and Learning Development unit and the participants must be made aware of the changes without delay.

1.3 Course instructors evaluate participant's work using marking grids/rubrics that are congruent with the learning objectives established for the course.

1.4 A variety of evaluation methods will be used and these are spaced at intervals that provide ongoing feedback regarding progress and an opportunity to learn.

1.5 Participants are required to succeed in all evaluation components to pass the course. The reevaluation of a participant in a specific evaluation component of a course will be left at the discretion of the course instructor and as outlined in the approved CDD.

1.6 Results of all evaluations are formally documented and communicated to the participant in a manner that supports their ongoing learning and identifies academic progress.

1.7 A final grade (alpha value) is assigned to the participant's record at the end of a course.

1.8 The final grade is forwarded to the Registrar's Office at the end of the course.

1.9 A participant who is not meeting the learning objectives, even after an opportunity of being re-evaluated, may be removed from the course and returned back to his/her employer. A "Fail" grade will be added to the participant's record.

1.10 A participant that is not successful in the re-test or re-evaluation, will not be granted another opportunity for re-testing or a re-evaluation. The participant will automatically be released from the course. The participant's Agency will be notified initially by a phone call and/or via email. Depending on the circumstances a letter may also be sent by the respective Director. Depending on the course, the participant may be allowed to re-register for the same course at a later time.

1.11 A participant may appeal his/her mark as per the Academic appeal Directive A08.

Apprenticeship or Practicum

For those CPC courses that include a period of apprenticeship or practicum; the evaluation tool to determine if the participant has succeeded in this portion of the course will be included in the overall final grade of the participant at the course.

Related directives

Attendance – A03
Academic appeal – A08

Date modified:

2018-02-27