Making the grade. Make your view count on how ADIs are professionally evaluated

The DSA have asked us to feedback views from trainers on a new grading system for ADIs. With the advent of the new Standards Check in 2014, comes the opportunity to develop a new grading methodology.

We'd like your ideas and inputs on this one. Click on this link for a very short survey (only 6 questions!), and the results will be fed directly into the DSA, as they consider the options ahead of introducing the new Standards Check itself this coming April.

Some voices (and national associations) within the industry are calling for a simple pass or fail system, where only the fact of whether you have passed or failed would be made public. But does such a system offer an opportunity to reflect the higher standards of those instructors who would naturally wish demonstrate they are not only meeting the standards, but exceeding them?

Is there a more effective way of communicating to the public that there are various standards and levels of quality within in driving instruction?

It has been further suggested by those in favour of a mere pass or fail system that perhaps the actual mark an instructor gains could also be made public (at the instructors own discretion) but would that add any real value, especially as many customers will not be aware of what that mark means (the status quo), and it depends on the instructors own communication of that mark for them to get the message (and when the regulator will only confirm a pass or fail status, will that communication be seen as mere marketing spin by the individual instructor?). Would a publicly available grade or band, ratified by a government agency, be a better way for both trainers to demonstrate their quality, and be a more official rating system for the public to trust in than pass rates, testimonials, unofficial ratings and instructor's own say-so?

Fifty shades of grade

We're not suggesting a myriad and complex grading system but rather than pure black and white, would it better instead to develop a system which reflects higher standards, if we as a profession are truly committed to raising the standards? Many other, familiar educational systems could be utilised and these are already widely recognised and understandable to both pupils, parents, employers, companies and other customers. A fail is a fail, and perhaps needs little other communication, but is just passing a good enough bar to reach for? How about pass, merit, distinction? Or similar to the Ofsted inspection system within general education: grade 1: (outstanding); grade 2 (good); grade 3 (requires improvement); grade 4 (inadequate)? There are even systems used widely in employee appraisals in companies across the UK which could be considered using terms such as Top, High, Performing, Developing, Low. Or are there other systems you could suggest which would be effective in reflecting varying levels of quality and professionalism?

Give us your views now and help shape change on how we rate ourselves, and perhaps better communicate to the wider world the level of our professionalism.