CCMEC is issuing an RFP for a consultant for the language-proficiency assessment area of work under the broader RTCC project. The consultant will have to coordinate and support RTCC in the testing in pilot of the on-line language-assessment tool developed in the previously funded project in 2013.
This assessment tool provides an in-depth assessment of the applicant’s linguistic proficiency, specifically in a teaching environment. The test items are situated in a range of scenarios that teachers would typically encounter (e.g., communicating with a parent by phone or e-mail, preparing homework and lesson plans).
As a result of the project, including in particular the collective standard-setting exercise, the identification of an appropriate cost-recovery implementation plan, and the development of common policies and practices with respect to test-taking protocols, provincial and territorial governments, along with the Ontario College of Teachers and the Saskatchewan Professional Teachers Regulatory Board, will have a consistent, pan-Canadian entry-to-practice standard for assessing the language competencies of teachers in Canada. This standard assessment will be ready for full implementation after 2021.
CCMEC requires the Services of an experienced consultant who can lead a pan-Canadian process that aims to validate the reliability of the RTCC On-line Language Assessment Tool for the teaching profession in Canada. The process will result in data to inform decision making in implementing the tool on a permanent basis. Ideally, the Proponent will be bilingual, an expert in language-competency testing, and able to quickly establish working relationships with specialists in linguistics and test development. The Proponent will be expected to be available upon request to attend the in-person scoring session, as well as various project-related meetings to be held in the provinces and territories of Canada, within the scope of the Project work.
The Proponent will assist the LCWG in the recruitment of the appropriate number of test takers. The Proponent will work with the LCWG and third parties hired by CCMEC to ensure that the pilot design (e.g., number of test takers, test administration protocols, scoring, analysis, threshold determination, and reporting to CMEC committees/working groups) will provide an adequate basis for ensuring the reliability and validity of the On-line Language Assessment Tool for the teaching profession in Canada. The Proponent will coordinate the scoring session, including training of scorers.
The Proponent will also be tasked to collaborate with third parties hired by CCMEC outside the scope of the current RFP to ensure the completion of specific Project work. This includes collaboration with:
- an external senior psychometrician advisor to assist the Proponent and LCWG with the test refinement and with the identification of the minimum thresholds of language competencies for certification;
- an external IT firm responsible for the RTCC On-line Language Assessment Tool upgrade. The IT firm will assist with the administration of the on-line test in pilot-testing centers and collect test takers’ responses;
- an external service provider responsible for verifying test-taker identities during the administration of the RTCC On-line Language Competency Assessment tool and proctoring/coordination across the regional pilot-testing centers in four regions of Canada;
- a consultant responsible to develop a cost-recoverable implementation plan, including the identification of start-up costs associated with implementation and a user fee for test takers. The Proponent is expected to provide input on the implementation of the test.
Finally, the Proponent will collaborate with members of the LC Working Group throughout the Project. LCWG members consist of registrars and/or senior staff with expertise in qualification assessment and recognition procedures. They will support the Project work.
