Assessment Policy Template

Purpose and scope

This Assessment Policy Template sets institutional expectations for assessment design, marking, moderation, academic integrity, feedback and reasonable adjustments. It is intended for use by theological colleges, seminaries and ministry training providers to establish consistent, fair and defensible assessment practice across programmes and delivery modes.

Core principles

• Alignment: Assessments must map to published learning outcomes and assessment criteria, and use clear marking schemes.
• Validity and reliability: Design assessments that reliably measure stated learning outcomes and are appropriate to level and mode of study.
• Fairness and transparency: Provide students with assessment briefs, marking criteria, submission deadlines, extension and penalty rules, and feedback expectations.
• Academic integrity: Define misconduct, detection procedures, and sanctions, and provide prevention and support measures.
• Reasonable adjustments: Ensure accessible assessment arrangements for students with documented needs while maintaining academic standards.

Assessment types and design

Include a clear description of permitted assessment types (e.g., essays, portfolios, sermons, practicums, exams, online submissions), weighting of assessment components, pass criteria and resubmission opportunities. State expectations for collaborative work, individual assessment, and the role of formative assessment in supporting learning.

Marking, moderation and external review

Specify marking responsibilities, use of rubrics, second marking or sampling, internal moderation processes and access to external examiners or reviewers where appropriate. Document timelines for marking and release of results, and procedures for dealing with marking disputes and appeals.

Academic integrity and use of technology

Define plagiarism and other forms of misconduct, describe detection and investigatory procedures, and set proportionate sanctions. Provide policy on the permitted use of generative AI and other digital tools in assessment, including required declaration, sourcing rules and consequences for misuse.

Reasonable adjustments and accessibility

Describe how students request adjustments, who approves them, and how adjusted assessment arrangements preserve learning standards. Include confidential handling of medical and disability information and alternative assessment formats where necessary.

Student information and publication

Require that assessment briefs, marking criteria, submission instructions, penalties, feedback timelines and appeals routes are published in programme handbooks and made available to students before assessment activity.

Template governance and review

Assign responsibility for policy approval, version control, periodic review (at least every three years), and reporting of significant changes to the institution’s quality body. State that institutions must update public information promptly and notify their recognised quality body of major changes.

Quick implementation checklist

1. Publish learning outcomes and assessment criteria for each module.
2. Create standard assessment brief and rubric templates.
3. Define moderation and second-marking processes.
4. Set clear academic misconduct and appeals procedures.
5. Document reasonable adjustments process and contacts.
6. Schedule regular policy reviews and staff training.