Understanding Quality Assurance in Educational Institutions
Quality assurance in higher education institutions involves monitoring, evaluating, and improving all aspects of operations and programs to ensure academic excellence. It encompasses processes like benchmarking, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement through evidence-based planning. Key components include quality assurance systems, manuals, and adherence to standards to enhance educational quality and institutional effectiveness.
- Quality Assurance
- Education Programs
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Continuous Improvement
- Institutional Effectiveness
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REVIEWING QUALITY REVIEWING QUALITY ASSURANCE ASSURANCE Prof Donna L. Wiseman Prof Donna L. Wiseman University of Maryland College Park USA University of Maryland College Park USA
What is quality assurance? (Standard 2) The institution: The institution: Monitors, reviews. and evaluates all aspects of its operations and education programs Uses independent academic and professional advice Benchmarks performance Uses the results of evaluations to: Uses the results of evaluations to: Plan, budget, and establish priorities Implement evidence based planning Improves programs and services
Quality Assurance includes: Quality Assurance System Continuous Quality Enhancement Quality Assurance Unit
Quality Assurance System Manual Annex 8: Quality Assurance Manual Implements a system Ensures the integrity, rigor, outcome and management of its educational programs Engages all relevant stakeholders Uses independent academic and professional advisers Compiles an annual summary (Fact Book) Uses results to inform Produces an annual report
Quality Assurance System: What I look for Up-to-date manual Quality assurance system processes are reflected at the college/unit level Evidence the college uses the system to improve their programs Engagement of faculty and staff in quality assurance system
Example of Requirements in response to Quality Assurance System Requirement: [The university] is required to provide a copy of its Quality Assurance Requirement: [The university] is required to provide a copy of its Quality Assurance Manual as per Stipulation, 2.1.1. Manual as per Stipulation, 2.1.1. Requirement: [The university] is required to provide evidence of data that illustrates regular engagement of all relevant stakeholders in its QA evaluation process, or evidence of a concrete plan to do so Requirement: [The university] is required to provide a summary of information Requirement: [The university] is required to provide a summary of information regarding institutional effectiveness (Stipulation, 2.1.5) including documentation regarding institutional effectiveness (Stipulation, 2.1.5) including documentation and and examples of the ways in which programs have been improved as a result of examples of the ways in which programs have been improved as a result of assessment. assessment.
Continuous Quality Enhancement Uses institutional research data to monitor, review, evaluate, and continuously improve Benchmarks quality and performance against best local and international practices Improvements to programs are routinely monitored and evaluated for effectiveness
Continuous Quality Enhancement: What I look for results of routine program reviews program improvements made as the result of reviews results of input and consequent action documentary evidence to the ERT external reviewers/examiners involvement benchmarking exercises
Example of Requirements in response to Continuous Quality Enhancement Requirement: [The university] is required to implement a system where by the Requirement: [The university] is required to implement a system where by the results of institutional research are used to modify and improve programs, results of institutional research are used to modify and improve programs, resources, and services (Stipulation resources, and services (Stipulation 2.2.1) 2.2.1) Requirement: [The university] is required to develop a systematic way of tracking Requirement: [The university] is required to develop a systematic way of tracking how the results from the various assessments are used to make both programmatic how the results from the various assessments are used to make both programmatic and institutional improvements and institutional improvements. . Requirement Requirement: [The university] is required to identify recognized programs for : [The university] is required to identify recognized programs for benchmarking (Stipulation, 2.2.2) and explain how: benchmarking (Stipulation, 2.2.2) and explain how: the curriculum is influenced by these programs the curriculum is influenced by these programs the external advisory board contributes to the process. the external advisory board contributes to the process.
Quality Assurance Unit A separate quality assurance unit Director or manager Human and other resources
Quality Assurance Unit: What do I look for a well thought out unit that implements the quality assurance system a manual that outlines the QA processes a easily recognized implementation process that is supported by policies, the manual, and campus awareness responsible individual who reports to the campus system appropriate staff to implement system campus QA structures and processes are reflected in the college or unit college response and integration with the campus system How do the college and campus quality assurance processes work together? How do the college and campus quality assurance processes work together?
Example of Requirement in response to Example of Requirement in response to Quality Assurance Unit Quality Assurance Unit Requirement: [The university] is required to implement the process currently under Requirement: [The university] is required to implement the process currently under development and provide evidence that the process is fully implemented development and provide evidence that the process is fully implemented (Stipulation, 2.3.1). (Stipulation, 2.3.1). Requirement: [The university] is required to provide evidence that the full Requirement: [The university] is required to provide evidence that the full- -time data analyst position is filled (Stipulation, 2.3.3). analyst position is filled (Stipulation, 2.3.3). time data Requirement: [The university] is required to increase the level of staffing in their Requirement: [The university] is required to increase the level of staffing in their quality assurance unit to a level that is appropriate to meet the Standards quality assurance unit to a level that is appropriate to meet the Standards (Stipulation, 2.3.3). (Stipulation, 2.3.3).
Examples of Suggestions written for Standard 2 Suggestion: The ERT suggests that the periodic program review process be Suggestion: The ERT suggests that the periodic program review process be examined to determine if any part of the process should be altered for the addition examined to determine if any part of the process should be altered for the addition of doctoral program review. of doctoral program review.
