Options in Competency-Based Certification

Options in Competency-Based Certification

Received by IFF Q&C Special Committee, Dec, 2000.

Competency certification can be conceptualized as options or phases in which each successive stage provides further clarification of the competence of a practitioner. By viewing this as a process of successive approximations, the Feldenkrais community can select, at any time in its evlolution, which level of Certification is aceptable to it.

The stages are identified with Roman Numerals (I, II, III...). They also cluster together into some groupings. One kind of grouping has been suggested (A, B, C). Other groupings are possible, reflecting the various ways that the process of certification and strengths and weaknesses can be considered.

A. No commonly-defined criteria of competency

I. Educational Director of a Training certifies graduates (undocumented criteria). This is the current situation.

Strengths Simplest method performing certification Simplest method of recording certification (no documentation needed) Acknowledges the Ed. Director' commitment to providing quality education for students

Weaknesses Graduates from different programs may have different skills highly subjective and open to systematic bias Students are not aware of criteria upon which they are judged

 

II. Educational Director of a Training certifies graduates (program-based documented criteria). This may be the situation in some trainings (?)

Strengths Students are informed and aware of the criteria Less likelihood of bias (than with no criteria) Increased professional commitment of Ed. Director As it is specific to the training, reflects the emphases in that training

Weaknesses Graduates form different programs may have different skills As evaluation still done by Ed Director, unfair bias is a possibility FM community may not agree with all the criteria extablished by this Ed. Director

 

B. Using FM-community definitions of Competency

III. Educational Director of a Training certifies graduates (Guild-based documented criteria).

Strengths

Weaknesses

 

IV. External Ed. Director/Trainer certifies graduates (Guild-Based documented criteria).

Strengths

Weaknesses

 

V. Post-graduation certification process (Guild based)

Strengths

Weaknesses

 

C. Using combination of Competency defined jointly by FM profession and other professions and by the State

VI External certification process (e.g. State Board exams)

Strengths

Weaknesses

 

--Rob Black