Credits are awarded to a vocational student only on the basis of confirmation that the learning outcome has been achieved.
Assessment System
Assessment of a vocational student is the process of confirming that the student possesses the knowledge and skills defined by the vocational educational program.
There are two types of assessment of vocational student achievement: formative and summative.
Formative assessment is an assessment of the learning process, which monitors the development dynamics of the vocational student and aims to support the student by providing feedback. Formative assessment is an integral part of contact-hour activities and is carried out in accordance with the decision of the vocational education teacher.
Summative assessment serves as the final assessment of an achieved learning outcome or a combination of learning outcomes, in accordance with the performance criteria defined by the module. It uses only a pass-based system, based on confirmation of competence, and allows the following two types of assessment:
- a) The learning outcome has been confirmed;
- b) The learning outcome has not been confirmed.
Credits are awarded to a vocational student only on the basis of confirmation that the learning outcome has been achieved.
If a vocational student of a vocational educational program fails to confirm any module or learning outcome provided for by the relevant vocational educational program, the student has the opportunity to confirm the relevant learning outcome two more times before the completion of the relevant vocational educational program.
If, despite two attempts, the vocational student fails to confirm the relevant module/learning outcome, or fails to appear for assessment, the student must retake the relevant module/learning outcome.
Before the completion of the module, the vocational student is authorized to verbally agree with the vocational education teacher on the date for confirming the unconfirmed learning outcome.
Interim assessment is conducted at the middle stage of program implementation. Its content refers only to the learning outcomes achieved before the interim assessment is conducted. Interim assessment is mandatory.
Performance evidence represents material or digital confirmation that the assessed person has achieved the learning outcome. Each learning outcome must be confirmed by relevant evidence.
Interim assessment is conducted within the timeframe determined by an individual administrative-legal act of the Executive Director of the institution. This act is issued no later than one month before the interim assessment is conducted, when the vocational student has completed no less than 50% and no more than 60% of the relevant learning outcomes of the modules.
The content of the interim assessment refers only to the learning outcomes achieved before the interim assessment is conducted.
Within the framework of the interim assessment, the student receives recommendations and advice regarding the achievement of learning outcomes.
Interim assessment may be carried out through the following types of assignments:
- a) Complex assignment;
- b) Practical assignment;
- c) Presentation;
- d) Portfolio presentation;
- e) Completed or ongoing project;
- f) Analysis of the vocational student’s own learning outcomes through the preparation of a self-assessment report;
- g) Other type/types of assignment, taking into account the specifics of the vocational educational program.
The interim assessment system is based on the main assessment principles of the College, namely: confirmation of the outcome and non-confirmation of the outcome.
Confirmation of the interim assessment is a prerequisite for admitting vocational students to the qualification examination. The date for retaking the interim assessment is appointed by an individual administrative-legal act of the Executive Director of the College.
A prerequisite for admission to the qualification examination is confirmation of all learning outcomes provided for by the program and confirmation of the interim assessment.
Passing the qualification examination is a mandatory condition for awarding a qualification to a vocational student. The purpose of the qualification examination is to assess the student’s ability to apply the achieved learning outcomes comprehensively in the process of performing professional duties and tasks.
The qualification examination is conducted before a commission established by the order of the Executive Director of the College.
The qualification commission shall consist of no fewer than three members.
A member of the qualification commission may be a vocational education teacher in the relevant field, as well as an invited person with practical competence in the relevant field.
The qualification examination is assessed according to the following rule:
- a) The outcome has been confirmed;
- b) The outcome has not been confirmed.
The assessment of all outcomes of a module is reflected for the vocational student in the electronic learning process management system within a maximum period of 5 days.
The vocational student is authorized to submit a written appeal to the College Chancellery no later than 3 working days after becoming familiar with the results.
On the basis of an order of the Executive Director, an Appeals Commission is established and the timeframe for reviewing the matter is determined. This timeframe must not exceed one week. The author of the appeal shall be immediately notified of the start of the review and informed of his/her rights and obligations within the framework of the review.
The Appeals Commission consists of: the Executive Director, the Head of the College, the Head of the Educational Process Support Service, a vocational student who must not be a groupmate of the vocational student submitting the appeal, and a specialist/specialists in the field — vocational education teacher(s). In the case of a vocational education teacher, any conflict of interest must be excluded.
For the purpose of a full and fair review of the vocational student’s application, the Commission reviews and evaluates the performance evidence or reassesses the vocational student through summative assessment. Based on the results, the Commission prepares a response to the student’s application in the form of a protocol decision. This response must be communicated to the vocational student immediately.
The Appeals Commission is obliged to justify the objectivity of the received assessment to the vocational student. It is authorized to change the vocational student’s assessment in favor of the student or leave it unchanged if the appeal submitted by the vocational student is unfounded or unsubstantiated.
If the appeal is satisfied, the Appeals Commission submits an official memo to the Executive Director regarding the correction of the assessment in the relevant record.
A written appeal of a general nature, in which it is not clearly and reasonably defined what the vocational student is appealing, shall not be reviewed. The decision to leave the appeal without review is final and is not subject to further appeal.
The result of the appeal review shall be made known to the vocational student within two weeks from the submission of the written appeal.
For the purpose of effective and transparent management of the educational process, Meridian College uses a unified electronic learning process management system, which ensures the digital planning, implementation, and assessment of all stages of the educational process.
The system combines both administrative and academic matters and ensures continuous communication among teachers, students, and administration.
The main functions of the electronic platform are:
Management of Student Portfolios and Personal Files — Each student has an individual profile where documents related to learning, achievements, test results, and assessments are stored.
Creation of Tests, Scheduling of Examinations, and Confirmation of Results — The teacher has the opportunity to create tests and assignments and determine their submission deadlines. The assessment process is carried out anonymously, which ensures objectivity and the protection of academic integrity.
Management of Records — The system automatically generates individual student records, where academic progress, assessments, and attendance data are reflected.
Management of the Calendar Plan — Teachers create the calendar schedule of educational modules in the system, which automatically becomes available to students.
Delivery of Learning Materials to Students — Students receive lecture materials, worksheets, and assignments related to the relevant modules.
Management of the Curriculum and Uploading of Documents — The system allows teachers to upload curricula, modules, presentations, readers, and other educational resources. Access to these materials is determined according to the relevant rights granted to students and administration.
Communication Module — Sending Messages — The system makes it possible to carry out prompt communication between administration and students in the form of notifications, letters, or instructions.
Electronic Registration of Orders, Instructions, and Guidelines — The administration uploads orders, regulations, and guidance documents related to the educational process into the system, thereby ensuring their transparency and accessibility.
This system represents the digital core of the College’s educational process and ensures a high standard of process management, data protection, and academic integrity.