COMPETENCY BASED ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK
A PAPER PRESENTED DURING
JUNIOR SCHOOL TEACHERS RETOOLING
APRIL 2025
SESSION OUTCOMES
By the end of the session, the participant should be able to
a) explain the meaning of CBA
b) explain the linkage between CBC and CBA
c) discuss the Paradigm shifts in CBA
d) explore the CBA Framework
A framework
A blueprint that outlines
the criteria, methods,
tools, and processes used
to conduct assessments,
ensuring that evaluations
are consistent, objective,
and aligned with specific
What is a competency?
Competency
Is the ability to apply
appropriate knowledge, skills,
values and attitude to
successfully perform a real-
life task
Photo: https://www.the-star.co.ke/in-pictures/MERCY
What is Competency Based
Assessment
• Is the process of determining the learner’s ability to
apply what is learnt.
• Involves gathering valid and reliable evidence and
interpreting what a learner knows and can do.
• Is done using a variety of assessment tools such as
written test, projects, practical…..
07/07/2025 6
Assessment
Parameters
CBA
CBA, focuses on documenting what a
learner knows and can do before they
learn, as they learn and as they transit
from one level to another
It is continuous and uses a variety of tools.
CBC CBA
Learning Assessme
outcomes nt
standards
Learning Assessme
The linkage between Experienc nt Tasks
various components es
of CBC and CBA
Assessme Assessme
nt Rubrics nt Rubric
for Sub for Tasks
WHY
CBA?
9&
Shifts in CBA
What are the major shifts in
CBA?
Assessment of
and
Integration of ICT: In development of
tasks, administrations and tracking
And provides a Competencies learner progress.
balance
between
formative and
summative
assessment
What are the major shifts in CBA?
Focuses on Continuous Authentic Assessment:
Competencies: skills, Assessment: learner Assesses the application of
assessed throughout knowledge and skills to
knowledge &values
the learning process. solve real world problems
Holistic Approach in Assessment tools: Uses
Assessment: Evaluates variety of assessment tools to
emotional and social gather information about a
development alongside learner’s achievement.
cognitive achievements.
Learner-Centred:
Formative Feedback: Assessment tailored to meet
Continuous and individual learners’ needs
constructive feedback to e.g. Differentiated
guide learning. assessments, adapted tasks
Theories in Assessment
Some of the theories in CBA
Theory Major Assertions Implications on assessment
Experiential - Experiential education immerses - Relevant experiential assessment tasks include
Learning Theory learners in an experience and field trips, laboratory experiments, role playing,
encourages reflection about the projects, work placements and community
experience to develop new skills, new service learning should be focused.
attitudes, or new ways of thinking. -
Situated Learning - Learning occurs within authentic - Assessment tasks should be authentic.
Theory contexts, cultures, and activities. - They should provide learners with an
- Learning occurs better in collaborative opportunity to perform like experts or
group settings and when the activities simulations of what the experts do.
are based on real-life experiences.
Multiple - There are multiple and distinct - Assessment methods and tools should be as
Intelligence Theory “intelligences” diverse as the learning styles themselves.
- Teachers should therefore aim at using a
variety of assessment tools that help address
the various intelligences of the learners.
Organization of CBA
Age-Based Curriculum
Organisation of CBA
Stage-Based Curriculum
Which Assessments are do we have under
CBA?
CA Classroom Assessment (All Grades)
SBA School Based Assessment (Grades 4,5,7,8,10,11)
KEYA Kenya Early years Assessment (Grade 3)
KFLEA Kenya Foundation Level Education Assessment (Stage-Based)
KPSEA Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (Grade 6)
KILEA Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (Stage-Based)
KJSEA Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (Grade 9)
KPLEA Kenya Pre-vocational Level Education Assessment (Stage-Based)
KCBE Kenya Certificate of Basic Educationt (Grade 12)
KVLEA Kenya Vocational Level Education Assessment (Stage-Based)
JS Assessment structure
KPSEA
Summative 60%
Grade 4 Grade 8
(SBA) (SBA) 20% of SBAs(7,8) 40%
SBAs 20% Grade 9 100%
Grade 6 20% KPSEA
40% KPSEA
Grade 5 Grade 7
(SBA) (SBA)
KJSEA
KPSEA 60% summative
Formative
Senior School Assessment structure
Grade
10
(SBA) 30% SBA30%
Grade 12 100%
Grade
11
(SBA)
KCBE
70% summative
Stage based Vocational Level
Intermediate Pre-Vocational Level
Level 50% SBAs, 50% KPLEA
(SBAs)
Summative
50% SBAs & 50% KILEA Summative
FoundationLevel
