Organisational self-assessment
Evaluation tools
Key evaluation questions (KEQs) and tertiary evaluation indicators are the main tools of external evaluation and review, along with performance criteria used to reach judgements about educational performance and capability in self-assessment.
A TEO may find the KEQs and the tertiary evaluation indicators useful when it is undertaking its self-assessments. They can create a strong link between your self-assessment and the external evaluation and review. By using the same tools, evaluators can engage in conversations using common definitions and understandings.
There may however be times when a TEO will need to use its own questions or indicators for self-assessment activities, to reflect features unique to its organisation.
"It makes you look at yourself and be honest and see what you can do to improve ... I like that it focuses on the learner and the delivery of programmes and what the learner is getting out of the programme."
TEO staff member |
Key Evaluation Questions
The KEQs are designed to explore what are widely regarded as the most important dimensions of educational quality: programme content and design, and delivery and outcomes. They provide a common platform for the external evaluation and review of TEOs regardless of their size or the type of programmes they offer.
These high-level, open-ended questions focus on either the outcomes achieved or the key processes contributing to the outcomes.
Outcome questions
These questions focus on the value of the outcomes achieved in tertiary education.
- How well do learners achieve?
- What is the value of the outcomes for key stakeholders, including learners?
Process questions
These questions focus on the quality and value of the key contributing processes in tertiary education.
- How well do programmes and activities match the needs of learners and other stakeholders?
- How effective is the teaching?
- How well are learners guided and supported?
- How effective are governance and management in supporting educational achievement?
Tertiary Evaluation Indicators
These tertiary evaluation indicators provide a basis for thinking about how quality and value may be identified. They allow a common understanding of what constitutes quality in the way TEOs operate and the outcomes they achieve. In external evaluation and review, using these indicators supports robust judgements and a consistent approach to evaluation across all TEOs.
The tertiary evaluation indicators were developed using systems-modelling research. They are based on up-to-date research and experience in new Zealand and overseas. The indicators include references to relevant educational research.
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Further information on the indicators can be found in the publication, Tertiary Evaluation Indicators (opposite).
Performance criteria
Performance criteria set out the definitions or explanatory guides for external evaluation and review teams to make judgements about educational performance and capability in self-assessment.
NOTE: 'Stakeholders' can be different groups of people in different TEOs, but are likely to include some or all of: students, communities, employers, professional bodies and other relevant regional and national groups.
Page updated: 01 September 2009