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Practising Certificates for Specialist Teacher Assessors - Guidance notes (Word format) (pdf format)
Practising Certificates in SpLD Assessment are now available. Complete guidance notes are accessible on the link above.
Frequently
Asked Questions
The Practising Certificate in SpLD Assessment Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is meant by a Practising Certificate?A Practising Certificate is one which recognises not only professional achievement but also a commitment to continuing professional development (CPD). Practising Certificates have to be renewed on a regular basis. Therefore those wishing to hold or renew a Practising Certificate will be required to demonstrate this commitment by showing how they have regularly updated their professional skills through study, professional discussion, training and practice.
2. Why do we need a Practising Certificate in assessment?
In recent years the demand for diagnostic assessments of specific learning difficulties has grown considerably. Assessments are increasingly needed for specific purposes such as determining the right to Access Arrangements in examinations and the eligibility for the Disabled Student Allowances. Such assessments were until comparatively recently the province of educational psychologists but, as the demand for assessments has grown, specialist teachers with qualifications in the assessment of specific learning difficulties have become more and more involved in this field.
As a result of this, pressure for effective monitoring of standards in assessment has grown – both from those bodies such as the DfES or the Joint Council who use assessment reports to make important decisions and from within the profession itself. The DfES was responsible for setting up a working group to consider the whole question of assessments for eligibility for the Disabled Student Allowances and as many specialist teachers are aware, this working group has produced useful guidance, for example, on procedures, the choice of tests and the format of assessment reports for this particular purpose.
In addition the working group recognised and emphasised in its report the need for some means of monitoring the quality of assessments, not on a case-by-case basis, but by ensuring that assessments were carried out by people who possessed requisite knowledge and skills to do the job to the highest professional standards. The quality of an assessment and subsequent report depends primarily on the knowledge and skills of the assessor, rather than the selection of tests used.
It is from this set of circumstances that the impetus has come for a Practising Certificate in Assessment which:
3. When will I need a Practising Certificate?
You will need a Practising Certificate from academic year 2007/08. However, you will be able to apply for a Practising Certificate from Patoss from July 2005.
The recommendations of the SpLD Working Group 2005/DfES Guidelines will be phased in over the next three years. The following schedule indicates dates for implementing specific elements of the framework described in that report. Diagnostic reports written prior to the dates shown in the table below should comply with 2004/05 DfES Guidance, but could use the recommended format and suggested tests, although this will not be required until academic year 2006/07. [The final report with all its recommendations can be accessed via the Patoss website - Final Report.]
| From Academic Year 2005/06
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91: It is recommended that diagnostic reports provided by chartered, educational, clinical and works psychologists (previously known as occupational psychologists) or other qualified individuals, usually teachers with a qualification in assessing students with specific learning difficulties, are accepted as evidence of dyslexia. Teachers who assess dyslexia should hold AMDA [sic] (Associate Membership of the British Dyslexia Association) or a qualification from an advanced training course involving the assessment of adults for dyslexia which is recognised by the British Dyslexia Association’s (BDA) Accreditation Board. [Ref: DfES Guidance: 2004/05 HE Student Finance, Disabled Student Allowances]
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| From Academic Year 2006/07 |
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| From Academic Year 2007/08 |
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| From Academic Year 2008/09 |
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4. Why just assessment and not teaching?
The demand for a Practising Certificate in Assessment has come from the particular set of circumstances described above. However, this is a part of wider picture. The concept of continuing professional development (CPD) is increasingly so important that regulatory bodies, for example the Health Professions Council, are being established to monitor standards within different areas of expertise in order to ensure that professionals have a commitment to maintaining standards of proficiency and regularly updating their skills. (Speech and Language Therapists are amongst the 12 professions who may currently register with the Health Professions Council)
As part of this wider picture it is quite possible that a Practising Certificate in SpLD Teaching may be not too far ahead in the future.
A further important point regarding the relationship between teaching and assessment is that assessment is not conducted in a vacuum. The skills and knowledge required for SpLD assessment build on a sound knowledge of normal literacy and numeracy development, of appropriate teaching techniques and available resources.
5. How will I be able to get a Practising Certificate?
There are different routes to achieving a Practising Certificate depending on the applicant’s prior training and experience. These are explained in the Patoss Guidance on Training for a Practising Certificate [above] and the accompanying flow chart.
6. For how long will the Practising Certificate be valid?
It is understood that Practising Certificates will have a currency of 3 years. After that time practitioners will need to update their Certificates by providing evidence of CPD in the skills of assessment which are practical and relevant to their work situation.
7. Do I have to belong to the Professional Association of Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties (Patoss) to get a practising certificate?
Yes. Patoss is currently the only organisation which awards the Practising Certificate to specialist teachers. Patoss is able to draw on the systems already set up to decide on those who are eligible for Full Membership and extend these to match the ongoing requirements of the Practising Certificate. It is therefore well-placed to take up this regulatory role.
Initially those who are Full Members of Patoss will be eligible to apply for a Practising Certificate on the basis of their eligibility for Full Membership (see FAQ 8 below). However after 3 years, as stated above, practitioners will need to update their Certificates by providing evidence of CPD in the skills of assessment which are practical and relevant to their work situation.
8. How do I know if I qualify for Full Membership?
You must hold a qualification meeting the requirements for AMBDA or the equivalent. These qualifications are listed on the BDA and Patoss websites (www.bda-dyslexia.org.uk and www.patoss-dyslexia.org).
These qualifications require evidence of observed practical application of skills in teaching and assessment. Candidates do not need QTS to apply for Full Membership of Patoss.
9. How much will it cost?
There will be some costs involved in the process of gaining accreditation for the Practising Certificate. These will vary depending on the route taken. (See Flow Chart)
If for example an applicant has a current qualification which gives direct eligibility for Full Membership of Patoss (Route 1), there will only be a small administrative cost involved in claiming accreditation for the Practising Certificate. The cost will be £75 in addition to your Patoss membership fee.
If the application requires accreditation of prior learning/experience (Route 2) this will incur a cost which reflects the time needed to assess a portfolio of evidence. The cost will be £250 [Payment of £175 to cover processing application then, if successful, an additional £75 for your Practising Certificate which is valid for 3 years]. This fee is in addition to your Patoss membership fee.
Those applicants who need training (Routes 3 and 4) will have to meet the costs of such training as well as the cost of applying for the Practising Certificate.
10. Who will provide training?
Many agencies already providing training – universities, colleges, awarding bodies - will be able to modify or develop their existing programmes as well as devise new courses in order to meet the requirements of the Practising Certificate. Many have already expressed an interest in so doing. Patoss and the BDA, working closely together through the BDA Accreditation Board and the Patoss CPD Committee, will be responsible for approving such courses.
The amount of training needed to meet the requirements of the Practising Certificate will depend on the route which each candidate is taking. (See Flow Chart in Guidance Notes -Training for a Practising Certificate in SpLD Assessment )
11. What kind of continuing professional development should I do?
CPD may take place through study, professional discussion, training and practice.
It is important to maintain logs containing evidence of ongoing learning and practice in order to build up a CPD portfolio. Evidence may include:
12. I am already providing diagnostic assessments for DSA, do I need a practising certificate?
Yes, from academic year 2007/08 a Practising Certificate in SpLD Assessment will be required by the DfES for those carrying out diagnostic assessments for DSA.
13. I hold a qualification approved by the JCQ in assessing for access arrangements. Do I automatically qualify for a Practising Certificate?
No. Only those qualifications which have been accredited by the Patoss/BDA Accreditation Board will qualify holders for a Practising Certificate. Currently those qualifications suitable for AMBDA meet these criteria. In the future courses specifically designed to train specialist teachers in SpLD assessment will also be accredited as noted in Route 3 in the accompanying flow chart.
You can apply via Route 2 (Application Based on APL/APE) to have your prior training/experience accredited for a Practising Certificate. [See guidance notes
Guidance Notes -Training for a Practising Certificate in SpLD Assessment ]14. I have a post-graduate qualification in assessment of SpLD. Will I automatically qualify for a Practising Certificate?
No, but you can apply via Route 2 (Application Based on APL/APE) to have your prior training/experience accredited for a Practising Certificate. [See guidance notes Guidance Notes -Training for a Practising Certificate in SpLD Assessment ]
15. How can I evaluate whether or not my prior training/experience will be sufficient to gain accreditation for a Practising Certificate under Route 2?
See Patoss Guidance on Training and Application for a Practising Certificate based on APL/APE [above]. [See guidance notes Guidance Notes -Training for a Practising Certificate in SpLD Assessment ]
16. I want to apply for a Practising Certificate based on APL/APE, when should I send in my application and supporting documentation?
Your application with relevant documentation and video/dvd evidence must be received in the Patoss office at least one month prior to the review committee meeting. For this academic year the committee is meeting on 4 November 2005; 16 January 2006; 24 April 2006.
17. What are the different types of Patoss membership?
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Full Member (Full Benefits) Annual subscription* - £150.00**
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Full Member (Limited Benefits) Annual subscription* - £50.00 Full Membership (Limited Benefits) is open to those holding the RSA/OCR Diploma (SpLD), AMBDA or equivalent qualification, at the discretion of the Executive Committee, and whose sole teaching and assessment work is within an LEA School, Independent School, or Further Education or Higher Education Institution, and should be covered by the insurance policy of that institution. Full Membership entitles you to full voting rights, plus the range of Patoss publications, reduced fees to Patoss national conferences and local events, access to the Legal Helpline, and a range of other Patoss services.
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Open to those holding RSA/OCR Certificate in SpLD, ATS (BDA), or equivalent and holding a further recognised qualification in Assessment at a specified age range. Professional Indemnity Insurance cover is mandatory for certificate holders holding a further recognised qualification in Assessment at a specified age range who teach or assess, wholly or in part, outside an LEA school, Independent School, or Further Education or Higher Education Institution. Any Associate Member holding a further recognised qualification in Assessment at a specified age range who is listed in the Index of Tutors must carry this membership. Associate Membership (Extended Benefits) entitles you to professional indemnity insurance plus the range of Patoss publications, reduced fees to Patoss national conferences and local events, access to the Legal Helpline and a range of other Patoss services.
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* Check Patoss website to confirm current rates for membership subscriptions and download application form.
** Includes £71.25 payable to Patoss for membership plus £78.75 insurance premium and insurance tax & payable to underwriters