Quality Assurance Arrangements for Adult and Community Education Providers

If you would like the opportunity to influence quality assurance arrangements for the adult and community education (ACE) sector then you can participate in an upcoming consultation process being run by NZQA.

Government has signalled its likely intention to introduce new quality assurance arrangements for ACE providers, to be implemented in a staged way from 2005.

NZQA has been working with other agencies in the sector to develop draft quality assurance arrangements and an optional self–review guide for ACE providers.

As part of the process, NZQA is consulting with ACE providers, relevant quality assurance bodies and interested organisations and individuals during April and May.

NZQA chief executive, Karen Van Rooyen says the aim of the consultation process is to seek feedback on the proposed quality assurance arrangements.

The consultation process and proposed small–scale trial to follow will play a significant part in determining the final shape of the quality assurance arrangements. The consultation and trial will also be used to determine capability building and resourcing needs for ACE providers, and for organisations carrying out the quality assurance.

The quality assurance arrangements will take a systems-based approach, and apply to ACE providers and not individual ACE courses, programmes or activities. The arrangements are likely to be introduced incrementally over a three-year period from 2005 to 2007. By 2008, all ACE providers receiving government funding from Vote:Education are likely to be subject to quality assurance arrangements as a requirement for funding.

Quality assurance bodies will eventually assure and audit ACE providers operating within their respective areas of responsibility.

The Education Review Office has confirmed its interest in quality assuring schools offering ACE provision.

The ACE quality assurance arrangements are designed to complement existing quality assurance standards and ensure that factors particular to ACE are considered as part of any audit.

"This is not a -one-size-fits-all' activity," Karen Van Rooyen says.

"The ACE sector is hugely diverse, so providers may use a variety of approaches to meet the quality assurance arrangements depending on the nature, complexity and size of their particular organisation.

"The aim is to quality assure ACE providers, while fostering the diversity that is the hallmark and strength of the sector," she says.

For more information about the consultation process please go to www.nzqa.govt.nz/for-providers/ace/consultfindings04.html.