ACADEMY OF CERTIFIED ARCHIVISTS

2003 Item-Writing Workshop held in LA

The ACA sponsored its third annual Item-Writing Workshop on August 21, 2003, during the SAA Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, CA. Certified archivists gathered to learn about the process of developing the certification exam and to write new questions for the item-bank from which the test is constructed. 

Participants drafted questions according to a “Guide to Preparing Multiple-Choice Items” developed by educational testing professionals. Working from the ACA Role Delineation Statement, they linked each item to a particular domain, task statement, and knowledge statement; and provided a reference for the correct response from an authoritative source in the archival literature.

 Bringing their draft questions to the workshop, which was directed by Anne P. Diffendal, Regent for Examination Development, they reviewed each, rejecting some and revising others to be considered for addition to the item-bank by the Examination Development Committee at its meeting in March.

Participants in the 2003 ACA Item-Writing Workshop:

Scott Cline
Richard H. Dickerson
Rebecca Hankins
Sammie Morris
Stephanie Morris
Kristy Sorenson

A Challenging Opportunity for Certified Archivists

• Who writes the questions for the archival certification examination?
  
  

• How is the archival certification examination created?
  
  

• What professional and scientific procedures govern the test?

The Academy of Certified Archivists invites all Certified Archivists to learn more about these issues in a half-day workshop to be held at the Society of American Archivists meeting in Boston, MA.  Participants will be guided through the rigorous process of developing questions for the ACA item-bank, from which the certified archivist examination is constructed. 

The ACA Examination Development Committee (EDC) will conduct the workshop on Thursday, August 5, 2004, from 9:00am to noon.  At the beginning of July, participants will receive informational materials to use in drafting questions in advance.  Items resulting from the workshop will be submitted to the EDC for consideration.  Previous question-writers have found the process to be a challenging and rewarding learning experience.  Earn five (5) archival recertification credits upon successful completion of the workshop.  There is no cost to participate. 

This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the standards and procedures supporting the examination, while trying your hand at writing actual questions for the test.  If you would like to participate or want further information, please contact Anne P. Diffendal, ACA Regent for Examination Development, no later than June 1, at adiffendal@alltel.net.

ACADEMY OF CERTIFIED ARCHIVISTS
48 Howard Street
Albany, NY 12207

Ph: (518) 463-8644  Fx: (518) 463-8656  aca@caphill.com

August 28, 2003