When and how does the GBEC evaluate the Candidates' answers?

  • Although the GOE is in January, the GBEC does not evaluate the answers until late February because the Evaluators need the intervening time for extensive training and reading. A team of at least two people - typically one clergy and one lay (but sometimes as many as four people) - evaluates each GOE answer and must agree on each score. Evaluators undergo comprehensive annual training in the specific questions, the scoring rubrics, issues of fairness, norming, etc. GOE answers that are Not Proficient receive an additional review by a GBEC Bishop. Since the GOE's purpose is diagnostic, Evaluators write a detailed evaluation only of every answer they score Not Proficient. A team of Editors and the office staff also review each evaluation.

Why is the Candidate's anonymity important?

  • Anonymously written answers ensure the Evaluators focus on the level of proficiency so that they can provide honest and thoughtful appraisals for Bishops, Commissions on Ministry, and the Candidates themselves. Once the GBEC makes evaluations available to Candidates, it releases results to Bishops and Seminary Deans. The GOE evaluation is only one part of the assessment of the whole person on the ordination track.

How do the evaluations ensure fairness?

  • The techniques used by Educational Testing Services (ETS) in advanced placement exams and by other national examining bodies include what the GBEC calls scoring rubrics. The GBEC provides these to Candidates with each GOE question. Evaluators apply general criteria as well as scoring rubrics specific to each question, which define the criteria necessary for scoring each answer as Proficient or Not Proficient. From two to four Evaluators (one of whom may be a bishop) must concur with each score.

What scores does the GBEC use and what do they mean?

  • The GBEC uses two scores: Proficient and Not Proficient.
  • A score of Proficient certifies competency in a canonical area. A Not Proficient score carries the recommendation that diocesan authorities further assess competency or re-examine the Candidate.

When and how does the GBEC make the scores and evaluations available?

  • In late February the GBEC makes the scores, evaluations and certificates available on a secure part of its website to those entitled to access them.

What is a certificate?

  • The certificate is an official document by which the GBEC certifies the Candidate's GOE scores.

Who receives the scores?

  • The GBEC makes the GOE scores available to the Candidate, his or her Bishop, and Seminary Dean if applicable.

Who receives the evaluation?

  • The GBEC makes the GOE written evaluation available to the Candidate and to his or her Bishop.

How are the scores used?

  • The purpose of the GOE is evaluative and advisory. The results are intended to help Bishops and their Commissions on Ministry determine whether the Candidate "shows proficiency" in the six canonical areas. The GOE results offer help to diocesan authorities determine the Candidate's readiness for ordination. They also provide valuable guidance to the Candidate and mentors for planning continuing education. Each Diocesan Bishop determines exactly how to use the results, and most use them diagnostically to determine areas that may need more work before or after ordination. Each Candidate should have a clear understanding with his or her Bishop and Commission on Ministry about how the diocese uses GOE evaluations/scores.

What happens if a Candidate does not demonstrate proficiency in part or all of the GOE?

  • The GOE is intended to be diagnostic, and Bishops and Commissions on Ministry make whatever use of the GOE results they deem appropriate. Unsatisfactory GOE results may or may not hinder ordination. Sometimes re-examination under different circumstances produces different results. Occasionally, a Candidate's weakness may be in writing or language skills. The GOE serves as just one of many means of assessing preparation for ministry, to be weighed by diocesan authorities along with the Candidate's other information.