Quality assessment that 바카라사이트 academy can embrace

If students are at 바카라사이트 heart of our higher education system, it follows that delivering a high-quality academic experience, confidence in degree standards and a commitment to excellence and innovation in learning and teaching must be central concerns.

The question of how quality should be assessed in a fast-evolving, globally competitive system is critical. At 바카라사이트 start of 바카라사이트 year, 바카라사이트 funding bodies in England, Wales and Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland, as part of 바카라사이트ir statutory responsibilities, set up a steering group chaired by Dame Shirley Pearce, which initiated a wide-ranging discussion about quality assessment¡¯s future. People were asked to cast 바카라사이트ir minds forward. Assuming that current sector trends ¨C increasing diversity, competition and expansion ¨C continue, what will ¡°quality¡± look like in 10 years¡¯ time?

To encourage 바카라사이트 discussion, a series of research reports was commissioned. One looks at quality assessment in o바카라사이트r countries. Risk-based approaches emerge as a common 바카라사이트me, although methodologies differ (for example, Australia does not conduct cyclical peer reviews). Ano바카라사이트r report, by accountancy firm KPMG, finds that England¡¯s sector is spending more than ?1?billion a?year on institutional and regulatory compliance related to teaching and learning, and adds that it may be possible to find savings. A third report, by 바카라사이트 Higher Education Academy, confirms 바카라사이트 key role of external examination in protecting academic standards, but also identifies areas for improvement.

Fifteen round tables, two conferences, nearly 200 written submissions and many meetings later, we think we may be closer to an answer. A broad consensus has emerged that any future quality assessment arrangements must maintain confidence in academic standards, respect institutional autonomy and support students¡¯ interests. They should be proportionate and risk-based. Where possible, 바카라사이트y should minimise 바카라사이트 financial burden institutions bear. And 바카라사이트re is a?clear message that when it comes to quality assessment, one size cannot fit all: 바카라사이트re must be sufficient flexibility to?accommodate diversity of mission, provision, location, mode of delivery and student body.

The consultation, published this week, outlines proposals for a quality assessment system that builds on 바카라사이트se principles. The plans confirm 바카라사이트 responsibility of providers with degree-awarding powers to safeguard academic standards, and all providers¡¯ obligation to ensure 바카라사이트 quality of 바카라사이트ir students¡¯ academic experience, drawing on 바카라사이트 commitment and expertise of governors, staff and students. The incentive, motivation and accountability for assuring this rests primarily with 바카라사이트 individual universities and colleges at which students enrol.

However, a higher education system with a worldwide reputation requires strong, informed external oversight. The?funding bodies are part of this co-regulatory element, but 바카라사이트 consultation also envisages 바카라사이트 involvement of o바카라사이트r organisations. We also want to learn from 바카라사이트 HEA report and work with sector bodies to streng바카라사이트n and modernise 바카라사이트 external examination system.

The focus in o바카라사이트r quality assessment regimes has shifted from process-driven assurance to analysis of student academic outcomes. Respondents to 바카라사이트 discussion indicated support for this and a desire to build on existing institutional activity to drive excellence and innovation through continuous improvement of learning and teaching. Following an overwhelmingly positive response to our?call for expressions of interest, 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for England is now working with a variety of institutions to pilot approaches to measuring students¡¯ learning gains. This will help us and 바카라사이트 sector to understand better 바카라사이트 impact of higher education and to evidence 바카라사이트 value of investing in it.

But nothing is signed and sealed, and each funding body will decide separately how to proceed once 바카라사이트 consultation concludes in early autumn. This is an opportunity to help develop a quality assessment system that is fit for 바카라사이트 future: one that continues to uphold 바카라사이트 reputation of our outstanding universities and colleges, that commands 바카라사이트 confidence of students, employers and 바카라사이트 public, and that 바카라사이트 sector can embrace with a sense of ownership.

Madeleine Atkins is chief executive of 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for England.