DRAFT  DRAFT  DRAFT

The Audit Process
NOTE: The individual conducting the audit could be:

  1. A course is chosen to be audited. The course may have been:
  2. Chosen randomly by the Education Administrator from the total course listing
  3. Chosen from within a specific topical area because an immediate need exists for this type of course
  4. Chosen because complaints have been lodged about this course
  5. Chosen because a provider wanted an outside assessment of the course.
  6. The course materials can be reviewed by the auditor prior to the actual audit. Those materials can be found/downloaded from the Building Code Information System (BCIS).
  7. The auditor has the discretion to contact the provider prior to the audit to give notice of the audit, or may not contact the provider and conduct a surprise audit.
  8. The auditor, when conducting the audit, should act in a professional manner and in no way interfere with the instruction. The auditor will use all FBC approved materials and forms to conduct an audit. The auditor will sit through the entire class that is being audited. The auditor, as part of a final report, will include a copy of the participant training materials.
  9. The auditor, as part of the process, has the discretion to discuss (or not discuss) the results in general, to the provider, at the conclusion of the session.
  10. The auditor will prepare a report of findings, using the audit materials, to be presented to the FBC Education Program Oversight Committee at their next scheduled meeting.
  11. The auditor, within two weeks of the audit, will contact the provider and give him/her the feedback from the audit.
  12. The Education Administrator will file and keep for the record, the various audit reports.

POSSIBLE  ITEMS TO INCLUDE FOR COURSE AUDIT REVIEW

1.  Program Description
Provide a brief description of the program goals, purpose and intent, as well as the type of participants it is directed toward.
2.  Accessibility/Availability
Information on availability of the program locally, statewide or outside the state shall be provided. Details of access restrictions to the program, such as to members of a trade, association, affiliation or company shall be provided.
Explain the delivery method by which the program is to be provided, for example instructor lead for community college, trade association classrooms, continuing education, or web enabled or correspondence course format. If more than one delivery method is to be used, state which parts of the program are to be delivered in each manner and the percentage this constitutes?
3.  Time Allocation
State the approximate amount of student time needed to complete the entire program and each unit/course/module within the program.
4.  Costs
Include registration fees and an estimate of the cost of program materials for the student. Any additional fees for the program should also be included.
5.  Student Prerequisites
Explain any prerequisite qualifications necessary for student enrollment in the program and in each unit/module/course. This may include completed academic level, trade qualification, prior experience or completion of a prior unit/module/course. Identify the proof of qualifications that will be accepted.
6.  Performance Outcomes/Learning Objectives
Programs submitted for review and acceptance must prepare individuals with the training to follow the requirements of the Florida Building Code. Clearly explain how the program covers these requirements. Explain any discrepancies or variations.
Examples for Fire Alarm Testing

7.  Program Content
Specific objectives must be written for the training program and should, at a minimum, relate and support the above performance outcomes and the contents of the attachment 'Recommended Program Content'.
Example of Objective - Course participants will describe in their own words basic electricity including AC and DC circuits, open circuits, short circuits, Ohms Law etc.. They will perform simple power calculations such as V=IR and W=I²R. They will demonstrate appropriate safety practices including disconnecting and testing main and emergency power supplies before replacing signaling devices.
8.  Program Organization
The submission should describe how the program is organized and the rationale used for the organization. Indicate the instructional units, courses, modules or other methods of dividing or grouping the instruction.
9.  Program Consistency
Where program delivery is provided by various instructors at different locations, what controls are to be implemented to ensure that the program delivery is consistent and within the prescribed content and time allocations.
10.  Instruction
Explain the criteria for choosing qualified instructors to teach course material covering the content list of the attachment 'Recommended Program Content'. or experience as an educator trained in the same field. The submission shall also list instruction guides, training aids, models, equipment for manipulative skills training and audio visual resources available.
11.  Student Materials
Identify program/course materials required by the student. Identify program/course materials that are available for use by the students such as workbooks, handout notes, text books, manuals or standards.
12.  Student Feedback
Details of procedures for receiving written feedback from the students about the program shall be provided. Include a sample course evaluation form. Completed student feedback records shall be kept on file until the next cycle of program review .
13.  Exemptions (if applicable)
"Exemption" is a process to allow students to be excused from or be given credit for completion of a course, due to previous acceptable documented training.
Explain whether you permit course exemptions. If you do, state your policy and the criteria.
14.  Completion of the Program
Documentation presented to the student at the successful completion of the program must include, as a minimum,

Include a sample of the documentation. Final documentation shall be controlled by the program provider from one central source.
15.  Student Evaluation
Explain the procedures used to evaluate the knowledge and skills learned by each student from the program to ensure competency. These may include written tests, written assignments, on-the-job assignments, manipulative skills demonstrations or other applicable methods. Procedures used must be valid, impartial, and related to the knowledge and skills required.
Provide information regarding pass/fail criteria for written and manipulative skills competency testing of the program material and your rationale.

16.  Examination Controls
Provide procedures and policies for the following: (if applicable)

17.  Records
Procedures shall be established for maintaining a record keeping system that ensures the retrievability, by name, of persons successfully completing the program, for an indefinite period. Records shall include the name of the educational institution, year of completion of program by student, and name and some other identifier of the student.