A Conceptual Framework for Authentic Competence Assessment in VET: A Logic Design Model

Abstract

Authentic assessment of competence remains a central target of VET research; adequate measurement approaches clearly are rare though a prerequisite for accountable systems to authorize access to vocational activities, as well as for international qualification acknowledgment. The chapter outlines a conceptual framework of authentic assessment as well as respective evaluation methods. Though authentic assessment is broadly discussed in scientific literature, coherent definitions and frameworks with respect to the assessment of vocational competence are scant. However, drawing on different streams of authenticity research, it can be suggested to operationalize “authentic competence assessment” by six major key characteristics:1.Authentic modes of assessment2.Relevant item sampling3.Complexity of tasks4.Staged embedding5.Process orientation6.Social interaction