QUESTION
What grading system was used for FDNY firefighter promotional exams, and how is future accuracy ensured?
0:24:39
·
150 sec
The Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) clarifies there was no algorithm used for the FDNY firefighter promotional exams, but a weighting error in the initial results announcement.
- No algorithm was involved; instead, a weighting system of 50% multiple choice and 50% seniority and departmental awards was supposed to be used.
- An error by DCAS initially reported an incorrect weighting of 85% multiple choice and 15% for seniority and departmental awards.
- The error was quickly identified, corrected, and notices were sent to exam takers about the glitch.
- DCAS now emphasizes quality assurance to ensure correct weighting is used for future exams, particularly by reviewing the weightage for promotion exams.
- The majority of promotion exams typically use an 85% multiple choice and 15% seniority standard, but exceptions exist for uniform agencies.
Julie Menin
0:24:39
Thank you so much, Sherry.
0:24:40
I do have a couple questions.
0:24:41
So I'm concerned about FDNY firefighters who took the promotional exam in December of 2022 and botched results that had been reported can you speak about the algorithm that was used to grade those tests?
Sanford Cohen
0:24:55
Well, there was no algorithm.
0:24:57
There was a waiting.
0:24:59
There was an ounce in the notice of examination.
0:25:03
As I explained before, the waiting for the fire and freighter promotionals is 50% multiple choice and 50 percent seniority and departmental awards.
0:25:15
There was an error made by DeCast.
0:25:18
In announcing the first publication of those who would be on the eligible list, they used a rating of 85% from multiple choice.
0:25:28
And 15% for seniority and department of awards.
0:25:34
There was discovered quite quickly and corrected, and the list was published with a correct waiting Last October, DeGas sent notices to all of the exam takers explaining what the glitch was in announcing the first odd list.
0:25:58
And ensuring them that had been directed.
Julie Menin
0:26:04
And in terms of the error that was made, how does decast prevent other errors from happening moving forward?
Sanford Cohen
0:26:11
I'll turn to the operational people on that.
0:26:14
I'm just the lawyer.
Katrina Porter
0:26:17
So I would like to mention that the majority of the promotion exams that are offered by DECAS, they utilize a weight of 85 percent for multiple choice and 15% for seniority.
0:26:30
So that's standard across the board.
0:26:32
There are a few uniform agencies that use a different formula.
0:26:37
So we do recognize that there was an oversight in using the correct weightage.
0:26:42
And so what we're doing to ensure quality assurance going forward is the the team that that handles that that particular function, our exam administration group, they're we're we're just taking more making an effort to review to make sure that the weightage is proper for promotion exams.
Julie Menin
0:27:05
Okay.
0:27:06
I wanna move on to the mayor's management report.
