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How were the national exams developed and validated? The national exams were developed for the U.S. EPA under contract to Westat, Inc., a consulting firm, that assembled a special project team for this task consisting of industrial hygienists, industrial psychologists and environmental scientists with a keen knowledge of the emerging lead abatement industry. The project, which officially began in July 1995, was overseen and supported by a workgroup consisting of representatives from six different States in addition to U.S. EPA headquarters and regional staff. The process began with a series of focus group meetings to complete the requisite job analyses and the selection and appointment of a panel of subject matter experts (SMEs). After the job dimensions for lead inspectors, supervisors and risk assessors had been established, Westat undertook a survey to identify and rank the proper learning objectives for each of the subject disciplines. The item bank of test questions and the examination blueprints were then developed based upon the learning objectives (these same learning objectives are also being incorporated into the U.S. EPA's model training course curricula as these materials are updated to help ensure that a direct and common link is maintained between what students are taught in the model courses and what they are tested for on the national exams). Once the blueprints became available, training entities administered draft versions of the exams voluntarily all around the country as a part of the procedure to validate items. The exam was completed through yet another focus group process which involved a careful review of each individual item before its acceptance. Throughout their development, Westat and the U.S. EPA have strenuously emphasized both excellence and validity as the essential foundation for the new national lead certification exams. |
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