CDP standardizes, updates end-of-course surveys

FEMA’s Center for Domestic Preparedness recently completed the process of updating, standardizing and digitizing end-of-course surveys for its courses.

The surveys, known as Level 1 evaluations, are one of three types of assessments used by the center to ensure course curriculum is appropriate and beneficial for students.

Level 1 evaluations gather basic demographic information about students, why they took specific courses, and their thoughts about course material and how it will impact their jobs. The evaluations also include questions for students about the value of training.

All Level 1s are now sent and received digitally from students – whether they are involved in resident, non-resident, indirect or virtual courses. The only exception to this is students at police academies, who are not allowed the use of electronic devices during training.

The CDP has the potential to use two other levels of curriculum assessments – Level 2s, which consist of tests or exercises at the end of a course, and Level 3s, which are sent to students and their supervisors six months after a class to determine a course’s impact.

Currently, only Level 1 and 2 evaluations are in use. However, the CDP’s evaluation team hopes to reinstitute a digital version of Level 3 evaluations in the future.

All these products empower the CDP to improve its curriculum for future students, ensuring the best training possible for state, local, tribal and territorial first responders.