enqa seminar: programme oriented and institutional oriented approaches to quality assurance - new...
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ENQA seminar:Programme oriented and institutional oriented approaches to quality assurance - New developments and mixed approachesBerlin, 13/14 June 2008
From programme to institutional approach:Germany
Accreditation CouncilFoundation for the Accreditation of Study Programmes in Germany
Achim Hopbach
Number 2
Background
Accreditation in Germany:
Historical context led to programme approach
Implementation of Bachelor- and Master degrees
Reform of state approval procedure
Number 3
Background
Accreditation in Germany:
Historical context led to programme approach
Implementation of Bachelor- and Master degrees
Reform of state approval procedure
Controversies
Programme approach too burdonsome and costly for HEI
Improper approach for big HE system (Only 50% accredited by now)
Tendency of persistence of programmes between accreditation
procedures
Little contribution to internal QA
Number 4
The request
Request by the responsible 16 ministers:
…submit a report on a possible development of the German
accreditation system with view to a simplified accreditation procedure
which reduces the HEI‘s burdon in case of having a reliable internal QA
system in place.
(22 September 2005)
…submit a report which forms the basis for integrating a system
accreditation procedure into the current accreditation system, and
which means that a positive system accreditation decision signifies that
all programmes that have undergone the certified management and QA
procedures are automatically accredited. (1 February 2007)
Number 5
Object of accreditation
Object of the system accreditation is the internal quality assurance
system of a HEI in teaching and learning.
The structures and processes relevant for teaching and learning are
reviewed with regard to their appropriateness for achieving the
qualification targets and for ensuring high quality, with the European
Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Higher Education
(ESG), the Structural Guidelines of the KMK and the accreditation
criteria applied.
The principle: Object of accreditation
Number 6
Legal consequence
A positive system accreditation attests the HEI that its quality
assurance system in teaching and learning is appropriate to achieve
the qualification targets and to ensure the quality standards of its
programmes.
Accordingly, programmes set up after system accreditation or that
already have undergone internal quality assurance as specified by the
accredited system are accredited.
The principle – the legal consequences
Number 7
Pro:
Rectors’ Conference
Employers
States (Laender)
Con:
Students
Unions
The discussion
Number 8
2 (plus 1) site visits
The first site-visit:
Collecting information (no reports!) about the HEI and its management
systems
Decision upon documents to be submitted additionally
The second site-visit:
Analysis of the documents
Discussion with relevant partners
Feature random sample
Preliminary report
The procedure
Number 9
Feature Random samples (approx. 3)
An in-depth comparative review of relevant features of the concept of
programmes, of the conduct of programmes and of its quality
assurance.
Programme Random samples (3rd site visit)
In-depth reviews of 15% of the programmes, however, at least three
programmes.
The procedure
Number 10
Report
The expert group for system accreditation prepares a final report with
their decision recommendation for system accreditation. In particular,
the experts assess whether the deficiencies in quality identified in the
feature and programme random samples have a systemic reason.
Decision
The accreditation agency's decision is based on the experts' report and
the decision recommendation, taking into account the HEI's response.
It either grants accreditation or denies accreditation. Accreditation
subject to conditions is not possible.
The procedure
Number 11
Midterm review
After the first half of the accreditation period a review is conducted
according to the rules for programme random sample.
Main task: feed back to HEI
The report as well as a report on follow-up measures has to be
submitted to the agency conducting the next system accreditation.
The procedure
Number 12
1. Qualification targets
2. Management system in teaching and learning
3. Procedure of internal quality assurance (ESG part 1)
4. Reporting system and data collection
5. Responsibilities
6. Documentation
The criteria
Number 13
Close link to programme accreditation
Nevertheless accreditation decision on systemic level: High
level of complexity through combining QA on both levels
Scope: Mixture of QA-audit and institutional audit
Strong enhancement oriented component
System accreditation - Conclusions
Number 14
Close link to programme accreditation
Nevertheless accreditation decision on systemic level: High level of
complexity
Scope: Mixture of classical QA audit and institutional audit
Strong enhancement oriented component
System accreditation as a pragmatic approach
Core question about the reliability of results on the systemic level
for assessing quality on the programme level
System accreditation - Conclusions
