in association with Communicate-ed

15 great reasons to choose the PAPAA

PAPAA Overview

The Postgraduate Award of Proficiency in Assessment for Access Arrangements (PAPAA) enables professionals to fully meet the requirements set by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) to assess candidates for Access Arrangements.

Workshop taking place with whiteboard

For the latest upcoming dates, please click here

PAPAA & the JCQ Regulations

The JCQ sets the criteria which Access Arrangements Assessors must meet. The PAPAA course:

  • is Postgraduate, equivalent to Level 7 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF)*
  • includes at least 100 hours relating to individual specialist assessment

*The PAPAA is externally moderated and endorsed by the CIEA www.herts.ac.uk/ciea/about-theciea

Upon completion of the PAPAA course, successful candidates will:

  • have a thorough understanding of the current edition of the JCQ publication ‘Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments’ and the principles, procedures and accountabilities involved
  • be familiar with the Equality Act 2010, helping to identify access arrangements that might assist the candidate

Please note: Access Arrangements Assessors must hold an appropriate qualification to teach and make recommendations for secondary aged or adult learners who have learning difficulties. (If you have any questions regarding meeting this requirement please contact us for clarification.)

Course Structure

Assignments consist of a mix of practical tasks, online questionnaires, essays and data analysis.

The course is split into 2 units:

Administering and interpreting a range of standardised tests

  • An introduction to the principles of educational testing
  • The administration of standardised tests suitable for use in assessments for access arrangements
  • Featured tests include (Compulsory and Optional)

Compulsory:

  • Detailed Assessment of Speed of Handwriting
  • Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing 2/RANRAS
  • Test of Memory and Learning 2

A small selection from:

  • Diagnostic Reading Analysis 3
  • Access Reading Test
  • Wide Range Achievement Test 5
  • Test of Word Reading Efficiency 2
  • Gray Oral Reading Test 5
  • Adult Reading Test
  • Wechsler Individual Achievement Test IIIukT
  • York Assessment of Reading Comprehension

Optional:

  • British Picture Vocabulary Scale 3
  • Woodcock Johnson IV
  • Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement 3
  • Dyslexia Portfolio
  • Wide Range Intelligence Test

CLICK HERE to see details of our Standardised Test library

Understanding the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) regulations ‘Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments’, and applying them within your centre.

  • Rationale for access arrangements
  • Types of access arrangement
  • Arrangements appropriate for candidates with:
    • Dyslexia and other learning difficulties
    • Physical difficulties
    • Sensory impairments
    • English as an additional language
    • Other difficulties
  • Compiling/recording appropriate evidence
  • Training staff involved in access arrangements within the centre
  • Screening large groups
  • Assessing individuals
  • Applying for arrangements through Access Arrangements Online (AAO)
  • Using assistive technology in exams
  • Roles, responsibilities and systems within the centre
  • The Equality Act and its influence on examinations
  • Ethical issues, data protection and confidentiality

Course Delivery Options

The PAPAA has various modes of delivery. For full details, click here

PAPAA On-Demand

The complete course content delivered through online videos. Start dates available every month.

PAPAA Hybrid

Start the course with 3 consecutive webinar training days for Unit 1 (covering the core Unit 1 taught sessions, and beginning all the Unit 1 assignments). Unit 2 taught sessions delivered through our online video presentations.

PAPAA Live

Start the course with 3 consecutive webinar training days for Unit 1 (as per the PAPAA Hybrid information above). Later in the course, access 3 consecutive webinar training days for Unit 2 (covering the core Unit 2 taught sessions, and beginning all the Unit 2 assignments).

PAPAA Bespoke

For regional or academy groups (minimum of 8 participants), the PAPAA Hybrid option delivered at a venue of your choice.

For all the latest upcoming dates please click here

Course authors

The PAPAA course was written and developed by Caroline Read (www.communicate-ed.org.uk) and Sarah Beard (www.dyslexiatraining.net & www.dyslexiaservices.net). Both are experienced dyslexia practitioners who have worked in the field of assessment and access arrangements for many years. Working together they used their individual expertise to design a course which is both practical and underpinned by sound academic principles.

Introductory Video

Watch an introductory video to the PAPAA Course

Download a flyer for the PAPAA course here
Download an application form for the PAPAA course here

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Testimonial

It met my expectations and more! The APAAC course itself was thorough, very informative and has really assisted in informing my current practice.

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