In a previous post (NCCA Accreditations | ARRT Volunteer Portal), you learned about the ARRT's accreditation through the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). Did you know NCCA accreditation requires compliance with a total of 23 Standards?
Wondering what goes into selecting an exam, practice analysis, or standard setting committee? Standard 13 specifically addresses panel composition and states "The certification program must use panels of qualified subject-matter experts (SMEs) to participate in job analysis, item development, standard setting, scoring, and other examination-related activities." The standard contains 5 essential elements, and ARRT takes specific steps to ensure we meet each one.
First, "The program must document the responsibilities entrusted to each panel." A full description is kept in our policy manual, but we also provide tailored training to each committee so that they understand the expectations and responsibilities of their role.
Second, "The program must document the process of panelist recruitment and involvement, and must prevent the undue or disproportionate influence of any individual or group." Our slides on decorum and proper behavior aren't just for fun; all should feel welcome as a volunteer, and we will take steps to make sure that we hear from everyone over the course of our meeting. Those thumbs-up and heart reactions in Teams aren't just for show.
Third, "The program must define the relevant demographic and professional characteristics of panelists and the target composition of each panel. Each panel must represent the relevant characteristics of the population to be certified as the program defines them." We look for volunteers from a variety of roles, geographies, and levels of experience. It can be difficult to balance diversity among these factors, so please update your volunteer profile regularly. You never know-we might be looking for someone just like you.
Fourth, "The certification program must document the characteristics of the panelists for each panel." The ARRT volunteer portal is an incredibly important tool for documenting our committees. Your profile and meeting RSVPs serve as our documentation for this essential element.
Finally, "Documentation of meetings and activities must include decisions and recommendations of panelists." ARRT staff document every committee meeting, from specific item changes to broader discussions about the future of the discipline. Keep an eye out for the summary email after each meeting; we share a portion of that documentation with you for your benefit and also so that you can correct us if you notice any issues.
