Problems of Internally Assessment Courses at FE College

[MariscallRoad]

I had started a modular vocational course in a Subject last year costing £900 at a FE College. It was internally assessed which can raise concerns There are no procedures to appeal against the grade which is very bad thing. I read Ofqual was concerned about the malpractice in internally assessed courses. The quality of control and teaching were poor, tutor bullied and harassed me and others as well. The tutor’s marking was bad because she did not follow marking guidelines, the assessor was also the verifier of the grade which was naughty. I am disabled and dyslexic but the FE College refused reasonale adjustments. The Disability Service refused support. I passed the first assignment with Merit but I gave up as the course did not add value to what I learned from the Internet. I found actually a MOOC in openlearning that offer a lot more. I complained to the College about bad teaching and not following guidelines but the investigation was carried out badly. The College delayed the response 6 months and I got nowhere. The College asked me to stop my complaint and refused to give me the certificate of the module I have passed. I sent a complaint to the Exam Board that I wanted to appeal against my grade and asked questions as well. The Exam Board delayed the answer 2 months and said the College was OK. I want to appeal against the Exam Board decision because the regulations were not followed. Does anyone know what can I do? Does anyone know how to get the certificate? Both the Exam Boar and the College refuse to answer me.

I have been foolish not to have pursued a similar short course at a university of Arts. I would have by now a small portfolio of work. And would have met a good tutor.

[LIZS]

I don't think they can release a certificate while there is an ongoing dispute. We're the assessments not externally verified ? It would be unusual on an accredited course for this not to happen.

[MariscallRoad]

Many thanks, I understand now. In fact I have appealed to the further up stage against the decision of the FE College. There are 2 more stages of independent adjudication which I will pursue if I am not happy. Good question. The assessments are not externally verified unless the FE College wishes on their good will to pay an external assessor from the Board. Very unusual. There are no prcedures for the student to ask external assessment.

Regards the Exam Board, I made a formal complain to them so they had send an External Examiner to check my grade. s/he agrees with the College grade but nothing else was said. However I just googled their complaints procedures: They say I can still escalte the complaint to the next manager. If I am not satisifed with the escalation it says that I can appeal to the relevant exam regulator and they provide the contact. Once each round is complete I can go to the next one.

[morethanpotatoprints]

Hello OP

I'm sure there are good and bad systems in place but speaking from my own experience as a past teacher, my H.O. D went through everything with a fine tooth comb, everything any of us marked was redone by her.
Then it was externally verified as warranted by the board.
If you continue to be unhappy with your result as you state above you can keep going until you are happy.
Ditto, to you not gaining your certificate until it has been verified.

[MariscallRoad]

Thanks morethanpotatoprints. I had done at a FE College a computer thing and it was very good experience. If one wants comparability then the results must be externally verified and moderated by a board. Most of what I ve studied was at HE and had safeguards for appeals against the result. Appeal does not mean in anyway dispute with academic judgement. It means the procedures and the marking guidelines and criteria must be followed and someone needs to guarantee non-bias. For instance the assessor cannot be the verifier as well.

[morethanpotatoprints]

Do you know, I'm not sure how unethical this is but our HOD who internally verified was the partner of the external verifier for the board.
I'm sure this is why we were in all hours going over everything again and again.

[MariscallRoad]

Oh Dear! People taking part in assessments should not have a conflict of interest. Generally assessors should not act as verifiers for the same assignment. It would be ridiculous but happens. There is another rule which is frequently violated: Some exam Boards require that during the feedback the student understands the grade and after this she signs the marking sheet. Well, some times it is the opposite because the student is put to sign a blank unmarked sheet before the assessor marks.

[Charis1]

Assessors can act as verifiers of the same assignment, it may well be in on a small staff the only individual qualified to verify is the assessor, there is no rule prohibiting this.

The exam board will be moderating, otherwise the college would not have permission to offer their qualification. I expect the two month delay you say there was in the exam board getting back to you was to carry out a moderation exercise, the result of which was obviously that the college passed.

What would happen if you simply asked for your money back, and offered to drop your dispute and leave the certificate?

[PandaMummyofOne]

Every college should have an appeals process. If a learner disagrees with my grade they speak to me first and explain why. From there I explain why I have the grade I did. If they still disagree they appeal to the IV (who checks the marking). If the learner still does not either agree or understand the decision they can appeal to the lead IV, the head of quality and assessment and finally the principal and exam board.

If you feel you are receiving poor treatment and teaching I would definitely recommend going into the Colleges reception or hub (whichever it's called there) and asking about the complaints procedure. There is definitely one in place. Can I ask what level you are studying?