Saad Chahine
Associate Professor of Measurement and Assessment
Queen's University, Canada
Saad Chahine, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Measurement and Assessment at the Faculty of Education, Queen’s University, and serves as the university's Research Integrity Officer. He is a member of the Queen’s Assessment and Evaluation Group and specializes in psychometrics, monitoring and evaluation, and learning assessment. Saad’s work spans both quantitative and qualitative research methods, with extensive experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating educational programs in K-12 and health professions education.
Saad’s research is driven by a focus on improving educational policy and practice through validity theory, big data analysis, and the integration of generative AI. He has published widely in leading academic journals across the fields of education, measurement, and health professions education, and regularly teaches and leads workshops on research methods, educational measurement, and assessment practices.
In addition to his academic roles, Saad is deeply involved in international educational development, working with organizations such as the Aga Khan Foundation, the Ministry of Education in Trinidad and Tobago, and the Government of Belize. His current research focuses on the ethical integration of AI in education.
Keynote
Many educators, professionals, and policymakers are recognizing the growing need for education systems to reframe learning, equipping students with practical and adaptable skills for the future. Competency-Based Education (CBE) is emerging as a powerful approach that emphasizes skill acquisition and mastery over rote memorization. However, the keystone of authentic CBE implementation is assessment.
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In this keynote, Dr. Chahine will draw on research and real-world examples from fields like medicine, engineering, and education to explore how Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) is transforming learning. With a dedicated focus on the variations in assessment strategies used across these fields, Dr. Chahine will highlight how they fulfill CBE ideals.
The following questions will be addressed:
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What is CBA, and how does it redefine the role of assessment in the learning process?
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How can CBA drive deeper engagement and skill development for students?
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What role do educators play in designing assessments that measure competencies essential for the future?
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What lessons can we learn from professional fields like healthcare and engineering that have successfully implemented CBE and CBA models?
Redefining Learning: The Role of Competency-Based Assessment in Modern Education
Expert Workshop
This three-part masterclass will focus on the following three learning goals:
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Building Frameworks – Developing a competency framework (CF) tailored to the learning environment.
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Designing Systems – Creating a competency-based assessment system that aligns with the CF and effectively measures student progress.
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Strategies for Implementation – Formulating an implementation plan to roll out the competency framework and assessment system in their educational context.
Building Frameworks will revisit concepts introduced in the keynote address. Participants will collaborate to develop a customized competency framework by identifying core competencies and sub-competencies specific to their context. They will select one competency and begin defining performance indicators that demonstrate mastery, making sure the framework supports practical skill development and holistic learning through peer feedback.
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Designing Systems will shift the focus to building an assessment system aligned with the competency framework. Participants will explore various purposes of assessment (assessment of, for, and as learning) and how these align with authentic, real-world tasks. They will also develop checklists or rubrics for a chosen competency and confirm with peers that the assessments are clear, actionable, and tied to real-world applications.
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Strategies for Implementation will guide participants through the creation of an initial implementation plan. Drawing on principles from implementation science, participants will identify key stakeholders, outline steps required for successful rollout, and discuss strategies for building buy-in and managing change. They will also develop feedback processes for monitoring progress and making iterative improvements to their system.
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The session will conclude with a reflection on the participants' learning and an opportunity to finalize their implementation plans, helping them leave with actionable steps to bring competency-based education and assessment into their schools or organizations.