Validation of Non-formal Adult Education courses

REACTION2005-2007

No. 223855-CP-1-2005-1-LT-GRUNDTVIG-G1

Definition of ValidationDefinition of Validation

• Validation is a process by which an Validation is a process by which an awarding body shall satisfy itself that a awarding body shall satisfy itself that a learner may attain knowledge, skill and learner may attain knowledge, skill and competence for the purpose of an awardcompetence for the purpose of an award

• It is a quality assurance mechanismIt is a quality assurance mechanism• As a result of an inspection/assessment As a result of an inspection/assessment

an institution or/and its programmes are an institution or/and its programmes are recognised as meeting minimum recognised as meeting minimum acceptable standardsacceptable standards

Validation Reflection?Validation Reflection?

• Process of inspection – carried out by Process of inspection – carried out by the HEI - which determines if the non the HEI - which determines if the non formal adult education programme is formal adult education programme is meeting minimum acceptable standardsmeeting minimum acceptable standards

• CAN WE AGREE? Is there any Country CAN WE AGREE? Is there any Country where such a definition does not apply?where such a definition does not apply?

Can we agree?Can we agree?

• Validation is summative.Validation is summative.

• It is aimed at certificationIt is aimed at certification

• It is for the purpose of formal It is for the purpose of formal recognitionrecognition

The ModelThe ModelProcessProcess

evaluation

decision

submission

appeal

review

SubmissionSubmission

• Course provider makes a submission to Course provider makes a submission to HEI or awarding bodyHEI or awarding body

• Submission to be in documentary formSubmission to be in documentary form• Submission to follow standard formatSubmission to follow standard format• Submission to focus on 2 levelsSubmission to focus on 2 levels

– (1) Course content, learning outcomes, (1) Course content, learning outcomes, assessment, deliveryassessment, delivery

– (2) quality assurance mechanisms of the (2) quality assurance mechanisms of the providerprovider

SubmissionSubmission

• Do you validate a course or do you Do you validate a course or do you validate a provider?validate a provider?

• PROPOSE: PROPOSE: – Agree quality assurance with the Agree quality assurance with the

providerprovider– Validate the courseValidate the course

Stage 2 Stage 2 EvaluationEvaluation

• HEI has published guidelines and criteria for the HEI has published guidelines and criteria for the validation of NFAE courses based on the THREE validation of NFAE courses based on the THREE CsCs

• ConsistencyConsistency

• CoherenceCoherence

• CapacityCapacity

• HEI appoints a trained panel of assessors to HEI appoints a trained panel of assessors to analyse the application, visit the provider to analyse the application, visit the provider to determine if the proposal meets the standards.determine if the proposal meets the standards.

Evaluation reflectionEvaluation reflection

• What are the standards?What are the standards?

• Who sets them?Who sets them?

• Proposal:Proposal:

• Standards are based on learning outcomesStandards are based on learning outcomes

• HEI sets the standards in accordance with HEI sets the standards in accordance with national and international norms – in national and international norms – in consultation with NFAE providersconsultation with NFAE providers

DECISIONDECISION

• Trained panel of assessors report on the Trained panel of assessors report on the validation visitvalidation visit

• Panel makes a recommendation to the Panel makes a recommendation to the HEIHEI

• HEI validates the programmeHEI validates the programme

• HEI assigns creditsHEI assigns credits

• HEI appoints an external examinerHEI appoints an external examiner

• HEI agrees a schedule of monitoringHEI agrees a schedule of monitoring

On validation………On validation………

• Do we agree???Do we agree???

• External examiners are necessaryExternal examiners are necessary

• Course should be reviewed within 2 Course should be reviewed within 2 yearsyears

• Annual reports should be provided to Annual reports should be provided to the HEIthe HEI

• ECTS should be the credit systemECTS should be the credit system

APPEALAPPEAL

• A decision not to validate the A decision not to validate the programme may be appealed by programme may be appealed by providerprovider

• This appeal may only be lodged on This appeal may only be lodged on process groundsprocess grounds

• HEIs will have clearly published HEIs will have clearly published grounds for appealgrounds for appeal

Programmatic/Institutional Programmatic/Institutional ReviewReview

• Programmes will be reviewed in Programmes will be reviewed in order to determine if it still meets the order to determine if it still meets the required standardsrequired standards

• A HEI may chose to continue or A HEI may chose to continue or withdraw validationwithdraw validation

Responsibilities - HEIResponsibilities - HEI

• HEI/Awarding bodyHEI/Awarding body

• Clear policy on validation of NFAEClear policy on validation of NFAE

• Guidelines for validation of NFAEGuidelines for validation of NFAE

• Establish a committee for the Establish a committee for the validation of NFAEvalidation of NFAE

Responsibilities - ProviderResponsibilities - Provider

• Design the programme to meet the Design the programme to meet the standardstandard

• Submit the programme for validationSubmit the programme for validation

• Ensure the QA for the programmeEnsure the QA for the programme

• Deliver the validated programmeDeliver the validated programme

• Assess the learners in accordance with Assess the learners in accordance with the agreed assessment strategythe agreed assessment strategy

• Monitor and evaluate the programmeMonitor and evaluate the programme

Any further Any further responsibilities??responsibilities??

• At what stage should learners be At what stage should learners be involved?involved?

Validation Submission Validation Submission FormatFormat

• Provider InformationProvider Information

• Award InformationAward Information

• Access Transfer and ProgressionAccess Transfer and Progression

• Programme InformationProgramme Information

• DeclarationDeclaration