Minutes of the Certification Criteria Committee - 12 February 2008
The committee met by phone. Present were Amy Costello, Gary Jakubcin, Tom Gloria, Richard Heinisch, Sebastian Humbert, Mike Levy, Rita Schenck, Ines Sousa and Liila Woods.
The group discussed the criteria list and agreed that it is ready for posting/input from interested parties.
They also agreed to divide and conquer the list to develop questions. Rita will send the list around and everyone who feels they can, should pick topics for which they will develop three multiple choice questions.
There was a discussion of the length of test, with opinions ranging from two hours to all day. We are tentatively looking at about 200 multiple choice questions and the length of time that would take is unknown by the group—but we should each look into it from our various sources before the next call.
There was some discussion of essay type questions, but the proponents of this kind of questioning were not on the phone. It is clear that this kind of question is difficult to grade and subject to grader bias, but that it could add important information to the test. It should be discussed at our next call.
The group agreed that five years was a good length of time for the certification (at least to start out), and that we should have a procedure for continuing education requirements. This could include both the production of LCA’s and attendance at approved classes/workshops. Richard offered to draft a continuing education credits.
We also discussed the higher level certification. It should have independent stature from the entry level certification, and offered based on career accomplishments. The lighting industry fellow was offered as a model. Since the equivalent LCA individuals are often making money for doing reviews, we may want to have something more structured than the lighting program to assure that the higher level professionals are properly appreciated/evaluated for their skills.
Our next meeting is at March 11th 8 am Pacific, 11 am Eastern.