1. Examinations Council of Zambia
The Validity of Continuous Assessment (CA) in Early Childhood Colleges of Education in Zambia
13th SAAEA Conference
held from
19th -22nd May 2019 in
Gaborone - Botswana
Presenter: S Macwani
Senior Examinations Specialist

2. Background Purpose Significance Objectives Methodology Findings
The Validity of Continuous Assessment in Early Childhood Colleges of Education in Zambia Outline
Background
Purpose
Significance
Objectives
Methodology
Findings
Challenges
Recommendations
Conclusion

3. Introduction Formative form of assessment Provides immediate feedback
Evaluates the effectiveness of methods of instruction, curriculum and quality of an education system
Continuous Assessment (CA) moderation
Quality assurance process
Confirms that assessment is continuously conducted with accuracy, consistency and fairness
ECZ conducts on site moderation of CA to validate the scores

4. Purpose
To establish the extent to which the Assessors adhere to the “Moderation Guidelines” in Continuous Assessment marks in Colleges of Education.

5. Objectives To find out:
the availability teaching and assessment related documents.
the extent to which lecturers covered the syllabi.
the consistency in the award of marks.
the alignment of assessment tasks to the syllabus.

6. Methodology Qualitative study based on document review.
Documents reviewed were 210 moderation forms that were filled in by teams of moderators from 13 Early childhood colleges.
Moderation forms based on various courses.

7. Findings: 1. Availability of Teaching and Assessment-related documents
Available
Not available
Frequency
Percentage
Syllabus
169
80.50 41
19.60
Schemes of Work
178
84.80 32
15.20
Records of Work
149
71.00 61
29.00
Assignments
155
73.80 55
26.20
Tests
170
81.00 40
27.60
Marking Schemes
152
72.40 58
Based on this objective, the assessment was valid. At least 71% of each of the required documents were availed.

8. 2. Syllabus Coverage Frequency Percentage Fully Covered 174 82.90
Not fully covered 4
1.90
No record 32
15.20
Total
210
100.0
82.9 % of the documents reviewed showed adequate syllabus coverage. The assessment is valid.

9. 3. Marking Consistency Frequency Percentage Consistent 89 42.40
Frequency
Percentage
Consistent 89
42.40
Fairly consistent 68
32.40
Not consistent 8
3.80
No marking schemes record 1
0.50
No scripts record 44
21.00
Total
210
100.00
Research Limitations: sample based on only 210 moderation forms.

10. 4. Alignment of Assessment tasks to the Syllabus
Frequency
Percentage
Fully aligned
173
82.40
Partially aligned 12
5.70
No assignments record 22
10.50
No syllabus record 3
1.40
Total
210
100.00

11. 4. Challenges Poor record keeping
Inadequate evidence to validate student scores

12. Recommendations
Strengthen monitoring mechanisms
Capacity building

13. Conclusion
Statistics obtained from the analysis of the data revealed that CA is valid.
At least 71% of each of the required documents was availed.
82.9% of the documents reviewed showed adequate syllabus coverage.
Only 3.8% of the documentation reviewed showed some inconsistencies in marking.
82.4% of the documents reviewed showed tests & assignments aligned to syllabus.