Examiner Recruitment And Retention
Examiners, moderators and markers are generally satisfied with their role, say they are likely to continue in the role and are strong advocates of the profession, according to a survey by MORI on behalf of the National Assessment Agency (NAA).
Examiners, moderators and markers are generally satisfied with their role, say they are likely to continue in the role and are strong advocates of the profession, according to a survey by MORI on behalf of the National Assessment Agency (NAA).
The NAA, a subsidiary of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), was set up in April 2004 to lead the examination modernisation programme and build a national pool of 66,000 examiners, moderators and markers. It has a challenging role: the examinations system has been under mounting levels of public scrutiny in the past four years, ostensibly through the media, with increasing government intervention in the system; during the same period the number of externally marked exam papers has substantially increased, and as such the demand for examiners, moderators and markers has increased. MORI has worked closely with a communications agency (Grant Riches) and a branding agency (The Team) to develop the NAA's examiner recruitment and retention strategy. As well as informing the thinking behind examiner recruitment and retention, the results from this survey have been fed in to the design of press advertisements and promotional materials for the strategy.
The survey of 600 current, lapsed and potential examiners, moderators and markers shows that more than eight out of 10 (84%) current examiners, moderators and markers are satisfied with their role, and nearly nine out of 10 (88%) would do it again. In addition, the majority (87%) say they would recommend the role to colleagues.
Extra income is cited by more than half (54%) of current examiners, moderators and markers as the key motivator for continuing in the role which, in most cases, is carried out on top of a full-time teaching position. In addition, pay is cited by nearly two in five (38%) teachers who do not currently examine as a motivation for taking on the role. However, professional development is the key driver for retention, and reasons for recommending the role to others centre on improving the quality of their teaching (39%) and providing insight into specifications or mark schemes (39%).
Perhaps unsurprisingly, finding the time appears to be the main reason why teachers are not becoming examiners. Half (50%) of teachers who do not currently examine are deterred from the role because they perceive it to be too time consuming.
The majority of current examiners, moderators and markers say they feel valued and recognised (69%), however there is overwhelming agreement that examining, moderating and marking should be given greater recognition as a professional activity (85%). Nearly seven in 10 (68%) agree in principal that people in these roles should be supported by a professional body.
Technical Details
The MORI Social Research Institute carried out 600 telephone interviews with current, lapsed and potential examiners, moderators and markers. Interviews were conducted by MORI Telephone Services (MTS) between 22 June and 9 July 2004.
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