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Item Writing Course for Competency Based Assessment (CBA)
This self-paced online course builds teachers' skills in item writing for Competency Based Assessment (CBA) in line with Kenya's education reforms. Grounded in Sessional Paper No. 1 of 2019, the Basic Education Curriculum Framework (BECF), and findings of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER), the course equips teachers with practical knowledge and tools for designing valid, reliable, and learner-centred assessment items.
Kenya's shift to Competency Based Education (CBE) requires teachers to demonstrate strong assessment literacy. Evidence shows gaps in:
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
Participants will be able to:
Assessment literacy · Test development competency · Competency-based item construction
Primary and Junior School teachers · Senior School teachers · Teacher educators
Self-paced online course · Recommended duration: 4-6 weeks · Total workload: 40-60 hours
Structure and purpose of CBAF · Assessment principles under CBC · Ethics in assessment
Video lectures · Demonstrations of item-writing techniques · Case studies from Kenyan classrooms
Sessional Paper No. 1 of 2019 · Basic Education Curriculum Framework (BECF) · PWPER reports
Item-writing assignments · Development of test blueprints · Peer review of items
Continuous Assessment Tasks (CATs) · Item-writing assignments · Quizzes on test development principles
Alignment with competencies and learning outcomes · Validity and reliability of items · Quality of stems, options, and rubrics
Academic integrity in item writing · Ethical use of learner evidence · Timely submission of assignments
Participants must:
Learner feedback surveys · Instructor reflection reports · Analysis of learner performance
(Self-paced learners may adjust timelines.)
Dedicated course tutor · Weekly virtual office hours · Peer discussion forums
Completion of this course supports: