Reconsideration of an EER report

In exceptional circumstances, tertiary education organisation may request a reconsideration of the statements of confidence made in the organisation's external evaluation and review report, based on alleged failures of due process, errors of fact, or errors of judgement. To lodge such a request the organisation must first confirm:

• that it has made a reasonable effort to convince the evaluation team of its point of view, and
• that the Manager External Evaluation and Review has sent to organisation a "finalised" copy of the report.

NZQA will not accept a request for consideration that fails to meet these basic requirements.

What happens in a reconsideration?

A reconsideration is an independent review commissioned by the Deputy Chief Executive, Quality Assurance. It is normally undertaken by the Manager Registration, Approval and Accreditation or delegate, who considers whether:

• the evidence and other information used in the conduct of the external evaluation and review supports the statements of confidence reached
• there are any errors of fact
• the record of the process appears to be fair and free from bias.

The Manager may request further information from the tertiary education organisation.

A report with recommendations will be submitted to the Deputy Chief Executive Quality Assurance Division within ten working days from receipt of the request. The Deputy Chief Executive will decide the outcome of the reconsideration.

Principles applying to a reconsideration

The reconsideration will be consistent with the principles of natural justice and a transparent process, to ensure the tertiary education organisation has reasonable opportunities to be judged fairly, accurately and without bias.

Reconsideration fee

The fee for a reconsideration is calculated on the number of hours required to complete it, at a rate of $150 per hour (GST excl.).

However, if there has been a failure of due process, errors of fact or errors of judgement by NZQA, and the final report is amended as a result, there will be no charge to the tertiary education organisation.

Requesting a reconsideration of an external evaluation and review

Requests for reconsideration must be sent in writing, on the official letterhead of the tertiary education organisation, and signed by the Chief Executive or equivalent. NZQA must receive the request no more than ten working days after the "finalised" version of the report has been sent to the tertiary education organisation.

The request must provide all the information the tertiary education organisation considers necessary to give a full understanding of the reasoning and circumstances leading to it. Include the following:

• The NZQA external evaluation and review reference number, date of the review, and name of the lead evaluator
• Contact details of the person with whom NZQA should liaise about the reconsideration
• A specific and detailed description of the basis for the request for a reconsideration
• Specific evidence to support the claim that there has been a failure of due process, errors of fact, or errors of judgement
• Any additional relevant information that will add clarity to the request.

Address the request to:

EER Reconsideration
Deputy Chief Executive
Quality Assurance Division
New Zealand Qualifications Authority
Box 160
WELLINGTON 6140

Send the request via:

• fax: 04 382 6895
• email : qaadmin@nzqa.govt.nz

What happens next?

The Deputy Chief Executive Quality Assurance advises the tertiary education organisation of the outcome of the reconsideration in writing, within 15 working days of receipt of the request.

If the outcome of the reconsideration is a change to a statement of confidence, the final external evaluation and review report is amended and re-issued.