Pre-Departure (Overseas) Assessments

A volunteers teaching recently resettled refugees about community farming. IRC/Sandy Huffaker

Pre-Departure (Overseas) Assessments

CORE developed the Pre-Departure Cultural Orientation Learning Assessment Toolkit based on information collected from overseas Cultural Orientation programs and in coordination with The Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration. The toolkit provides guidance to Resettlement Support Centers who wish to design and implement learning assessments.

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Complete Pre-Departure Learning Assessment Toolkit

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Featured Resource

Complete Pre-Departure Learning Assessment Toolkit

Based on information collected from overseas Cultural Orientation programs and in coordination with PRM, CORE has developed a Pre-Departure Cultural Orientation Learning Assessment Toolkit. The aim of the toolkit is to provide guidance to Resettlement Support Centers who wish to design and implement pre-departure learning assessments. The toolkit includes the following resources listed below. Click on either the image or title to access the different tools. A complete copy of the toolkit has also been provided.

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Determine your assessment approach

Slide Content

Designing and Implementing a Cultural Orientation Learning Assessment Overview

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Determine your assessment approach

Determining an assessment approach starts with selecting what type of learning assessment(s) to use. There are different techniques and tools that can be used to measure whether learners have obtained and retained the information of pre-departure Cultural Orientation in alignment with content objectives and learning indicators. These tools and techniques generally apply to both informal and formal assessments. For example, an RSC may deliver the Cultural Orientation lesson on The Role of the Resettlement Agency, and then ask participants to conduct a role play where they explain the role of the Resettlement Agency to a newly arrived refugee to demonstrate their understanding. This represents a type of informal assessment (also known as formative evaluation). Informal assessments or formative evaluations are important, but only represent one technique to determine knowledge acquisition. Often informal assessments are paired with formal assessments (also known as summative evaluations) that are given at the end of a program, typically in a test format. In some cases, programs may also measure changes in knowledge acquisition through the use of pretesting. While the use of informal assessment is important, this particular toolkit will focus more on formal assessments in the development of an approach. This toolkit contains the Designing Your Assessment Approach Worksheets which can facilitate a staff discussion on the assessment approach. Engaging Cultural Orientation staff in the assessment design process offers an opportunity to tap team knowledge and experience while also preparing staff for implementation.

Designing and Implementing a Cultural Orientation Learning Assessment Overview

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Develop assessment tools

Once an assessment approach is established, the RSC can then develop the specific assessment tools that will be used in alignment with the approach. When writing assessment tools, RSC Cultural Orientation program managers will want to consider the factors outlined on the next page. To assist with the development of formal assessment tools, this toolkit also features a Question Bank, which has questions that can be used for formal assessments by Cultural Orientation topic, along with Sample Assessments.

Designing and Implementing a Cultural Orientation Learning Assessment Overview

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Outline administrative procedures

Once you have designed the assessment approach and corresponding assessment tools, the next step is to establish clear procedures for its administration. To create a robust administrative system, the RSC should take into account the questions provided in the Administering Assessments: Questions for Consideration document. This worksheet asks the RSC to consider when and how assessments will be delivered, and how the results will be analyzed and used. This list can also be used to review and revise your approach as necessary. These questions will also provide an opportunity to identify which staff members may be responsible for the tasks involved with the assessment. The administrative procedures created for the assessment should be clearly documented and revised as necessary

Designing and Implementing a Cultural Orientation Learning Assessment Overview

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Implement the assessment

Once the RSC has determined an assessment approach, designed accompanying tools, and finalized administrative procedures, the RSC can begin implementation. Implementation should align with the procedures outlined in the previous step, and include appropriate training for all staff and interpreters. Implementation will also consist of data input and analysis. RSCs should ensure that they are inputting data in a consistent manner which also respects data security. Ensuring the integrity of results, as well as the protection of learners, is important. After data has been collected, the next step will be to analyze and report the results, and determine how the information will be used. The implementation of assessments is not static and RSCs may find they need to adjust implementation plans.

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Evaluation

Following the delivery of the assessment, the RSC will need to evaluate results. Evaluation should be completed in alignment with an established timeline and evaluative indicators as outlined under the administrative procedure (Step 3). Remember, the primary goal of your assessment approach is to determine if learners can demonstrate acquisition of the information taught during Cultural Orientation. However, evaluation of findings may reveal additional insights, such as the need to adjust certain Cultural Orientation lessons or the assessment approach. These outcomes, along with other results should be explored further in the next step.

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Use the findings

After completing the evaluation, the final step is to determine how an RSC will use findings. As noted during the evaluation step, these findings might inform changes to curriculum, development of additional topics or specialized Cultural Orientation sessions, or changes to the assessment approach and/or assessment tools used, along with the administrative system itself. Establishing a clear process for applying findings will assist in demonstrating the value of using learning assessments, as both staff and learners are able to benefit from positive changes implemented from the findings.

Pre-Departure Cultural Orientation Learning Assessment Resources

Based on information collected from overseas Cultural Orientation programs and in coordination with PRM, CORE developed a Pre-Departure Cultural Orientation Learning Assessment Toolkit. The aim of the toolkit is to provide guidance to Resettlement Support Centers who wish to design and implement pre-departure learning assessments. The toolkit includes the following resources listed below. A complete copy of the toolkit has also been provided.

Pre-Departure (Overseas) Assessments

Pre-Departure (Overseas) Assessments

Featured Resource

Complete Pre-Departure Learning Assessment Toolkit

Featured Resource

Complete Pre-Departure Learning Assessment Toolkit

IMAGE CAROUSEL

Determine your assessment approach

Designing and Implementing a Cultural Orientation Learning Assessment Overview

Determine your assessment approach

Designing and Implementing a Cultural Orientation Learning Assessment Overview

Develop assessment tools

Designing and Implementing a Cultural Orientation Learning Assessment Overview

Outline administrative procedures

Designing and Implementing a Cultural Orientation Learning Assessment Overview

Implement the assessment

Designing and Implementing a Cultural Orientation Learning Assessment Overview

Evaluation

Designing and Implementing a Cultural Orientation Learning Assessment Overview

Use the findings

Pre-Departure Cultural Orientation Learning Assessment Resources

Overseas Cultural Orientation Objectives and Indicators

Question Bank by Topic

Worksheet 3: Administering Assessments: Questions for Consideration

Worksheet 2: RSCs with No Existing Learning Assessment Approach

Worksheet 1: RSCs with Existing Learning Assessment Approach

Step-by-Step Guide

Pre-Departure Cultural Orientation Sample Learning Assessment Tools

Sample Formal Assessment 4 – Visually-Based Questions

Sample Formal Assessment 2 – Simple Closed Questions

Sample Formal Assessment 1 – Complex Closed Questions

Sample Formal Assessment 3 – Open Questions

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