QA News June 2010 - Issue 68
- Chief Executive's foreword
- Leaders of the future
- Qualification design rules out for consultation
- University Entrance being reviewed
- Marking External Assessment (MEA) Pilot
- Annual Report on NCEA and New Zealand Scholarship
- Moderator-teacher agreement rates rising
- Excellence in unit standards
- Adult Education and Training Qualifications
- Check out National Qualifications Services
- Quality Assurance for Mātauranga Maori
- Feedback positive on kaiako and whānau workshops
- NZQA to contribute to OECD education review
- Top Art on tour
Qualification design rules out for consultation
Tim Fowler, NZQA Deputy Chief Executive Quality Assurance
NZQA is seeking feedback on the impact of proposed qualification design rules and development requirements for qualifications at levels 1 to 6, and any possible improvements that could be made.
Tim Fowler, NZQA Deputy Chief Executive Quality Assurance says, “There are a number of fundamental shifts that underpin the proposed qualification design rules and development requirements. These are: an enhanced focus on outcomes, and stronger distinctions between qualifications and programmes of study or training.”
NZQA is implementing seven major changes to unify and simplify the qualifications system.
By the end of June 2010, the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF) will replace the New Zealand Register of Quality Assured Qualifications and the National Qualifications Framework. The NZQF will also include information on whether a qualification is current, expiring or closed.
A focus on outcomes-based qualifications, as compared to course-based, underpins the NZQF. The difference between qualifications and programmes of study (courses) will be made clearer.
“The use of outcomes enables multiple pathways to a qualification because outcomes do not specify how the qualification should be gained. Providers will be able to tailor courses for their students which lead to a recognised qualification,” Tim says.
Qualifications on the NZQF will not be identified by ‘National’, ‘New Zealand’ or ‘provider-developed’; instead all qualifications listed will be nationally recognised, whether they are developed by standard setting bodies or by education providers.
“The proposed design rules and development requirements are integral to the development of a single, unified qualifications framework.”
Click for more information on The targeted review of the qualification system: progressing the changes (consultation).
NZQA will also be running consultation road shows in Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland. For further details on where and when these road shows will be, and how you can register, see the above link.