Chapter 4: Case Studies Related to Training of Arbiters in Election Complaints Administration of courses Given the complex nature of training disparate external groups, effective course programming is of the utmost importance. The CCJE designed a database program to record each course offering from the time an institution requests it3 until the diplomas for participation are delivered. The program tracks the availability of teachers, the profile of the public that will be trained and previous exchanges with each institution. Systematization of the process makes it possible to obtain prompt statistical reports for identifying students’ present levels of knowledge, areas of training that require particular attention and other practical training information such as potential scheduling conflicts. Streamlining course programming also allows for more advanced notice of training dates, resulting in efficiencies such as lower transportation and material costs. The method for evaluating instructors is also a key subject. Recently, evaluation forms were redesigned to include questions that better reflect the performance of trainers and the quality of course materials via a 0 to 5 scale, where 5 represents the best grade possible and 0 the worst. These forms are now incorporated into the database system in the file of each trainer, thus allowing the CCJE to assess trainer performance over time. For example, monthly and quarterly performance reports are generated and analyzed by the officials in charge of programming courses. These assessments can be used to select the best trainers for particular topics, suggest areas of improvement for individual trainers, and provide support for improvement by referring less proficient trainers to those who are successful. Thematic organization Improvement of the CCJE’s programs also required the thematic organization of courses. Before 2009, courses were taught based on the demands of each institution without offering a consistent systematic progression. Therefore, since 2009, and based on the competence and duties of the Electoral Court, the CCJE has designed a catalog of 26 subjects divided into three levels: general; advanced; and specialized. The CCJE accepts applications for training courses through their website, http://www. te.gob.mx/ccje/capacitacion_externa/Intro.html. 3 173