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Using Knowledge Assessments to Promote Learning and Assess Child Welfare Workers' Competencies+
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| Presenter(s):
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| Jennifer Hicks,
University of Tennessee, Knoxville,
hicksj@sworps.utk.edu
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| Chris Hadjiharalambous,
University of Tennessee, Knoxville,
sissie@utk.edu
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| Abstract:
In 2004 the Tennessee Department of Children's Services (TDCS) adopted a new best practice model of child welfare to ensure safety, permanence, and well being for children in care. A competency-based training curriculum was developed based on these outcomes. New caseworkers must attend this training and complete “certification” before assignment of a caseload. “Certification” involves both knowledge and skills assessments. The proposed presentation highlights the written assessment developed for measuring workers' knowledge and critical thinking skills. Topics addressed include: the process used to develop and validate assessment content; demonstration of the item bank used to develop multiple exam versions; work around development of “cut-scores” for distinguishing between masters and non-masters. Special emphasis is placed on a discussion around how knowledge assessments can be used during and also at the end of training for providing on-going feedback to the learner, holding trainers' accountable for instruction, and promoting a professional workforce.
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Using Competency Assessments in Evaluating Pre-service Training for Child Welfare Workers
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| Presenter(s):
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| Gail Myers,
University of Tennessee, Knoxville,
myersg@sworps.utk.edu
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| Charlotte Sorensen,
University of Tennessee, Knoxville,
sorensenc@sworps.utk.edu
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| Chris Hadjiharalambous,
University of Tennessee, Knoxville,
sissie@utk.edu
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| Abstract:
While knowledge-based measures are common in the evaluation of training courses, competency-based skills assessments have not been as widely used. The Tennessee Department of Children's Services elected to implement a “skill-based competency test” as part of its certification process for newly hired workers. The University of Tennessee, Social Work Office of Research and Public Service was charged with the development of an instrument and process for assessing workers' skills or competencies. In this session, evaluators will present information on the context for the development of these assessments, the process for selecting critical competencies to be measured, the design of the competency assessment instruments, and the preparation for assessors in performing the assessment. In addition, evaluators will present findings from a review of the assessments to highlight implementation issues and discuss the implications for the use of competency assessments in judging the effectiveness of training and education programs.
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