What is external evaluation and review?
Information for PTEs and Wānanga on External Evaluation and Review |
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External evaluation and review is a systematic process of enquiry designed to provide independent judgements about an organisation's performance and capability in delivering high quality education. These judgements are expressed as statements of confidence where:
Educational performance is the extent to which the educational outcomes achieved by a tertiary education organisation represent quality and value for learners and the wider community (employers, regions, local or national interests).
An evaluation of educational performance involves answering questions focused primarily on the quality of learning and teaching, and the achievements of learners.
Capability in self-assessment is the extent to which an organisation uses self-assessment information to understand performance and bring about improvement, that is, how effectively an organisation manages its accountability and improvement responsibilities.
The statements will be reported as one of four levels of confidence: Highly Confident, Confident, Not Yet Confident or Not Confident.
External evaluation and review is one component of each organisation's accountability to students, employers, funders, quality assurance bodies and other interested parties. It will also provide information to support improvement across the tertiary education sector.
How is evaluation used in quality assurance?
Evaluation is used in quality assurance to:
- answer questions about the value that learners gain from their education, the utility of their qualifications and the contribution of these to positive longer term outcomes such as employment, social and economic contribution to society
- explore qualitative and quantitative evidence of educational outcomes and the key processes which contribute to them
- enable a participatory approach, using systematic enquiry and specific tools to reach robust judgements
Why do I have to participate in external evaluation and review?
NZQA is responsible for ensuring tertiary education organisations continue to meet statutory policies and criteria after initial approval and accreditation of courses and/or registration is granted. The NZQA policies and criteria require that ongoing quality assurance is provided through an organisation's self-assessment and external evaluation and review.
Participation in self-assessment and external evaluation and review is required by the criteria and policies NZQA has established under sections 253(1)(d) and (e) of the Education Act 1989 and section 253(1)(ca) for private training establishments.
Page updated: 31 August 2009