When Theory Does Not Crosswalk
NBCOT recently released a crosswalk analysis comparing the OTR examination content outline with the ACOTE educational standards . Most of the document tells us what we would expect: the entry-level practice tasks described in the certification exam outline are broadly represented in the ACOTE didactic standards. That is useful, and it is reassuring, but it is not the most interesting part of the document. The more interesting part is Table B, which identifies the ACOTE standards that are not reflected in the NBCOT examination task statements. Some of those differences make immediate sense. Professional history, philosophy, the distinct nature of occupation, policy, advocacy, and systems-level thinking are not always going to map cleanly onto a certification exam content outline. Certification exams are task-oriented by design. Educational standards should be broader than test preparation because occupational therapy education is not simply about preparing people to pass an examination...