Description of quality assurance in the Latvian vocational education Gunta Kinta Academic Information Centre NCP-VET-CO project fourth meeting 21 – 22 October 2010 in Prague

Background information National vocational education quality control (since 2002) is ensured through education programme and establishment accreditation Accreditation – to ensure that programme content meets the required standards of publicly provided vocational education and occupational standards Vocational schools may implement only accredited programmes State-recognized qualifications are awarded only for the completion of accredited programmes Accredited local governments and private vocational schools may apply for state funding for implementing vocational further education, vocational improvement and vocationally oriented education programmes

Bodies responsible for quality assurance State Service for Education Quality (since July 2009) – basic and secondary education level, Higher Education Quality Evaluation Centre (1994) – higher education level,

Functions and tasks of the State Service for Education Quality Functions : To license education programmes (except leisure education, informal/non-formal education for adults and higher education programmes) To evaluate quality of vocational education (except professional higher education) Tasks : To arrange accreditation of examination centres, schools and programmes (except HEI and programmes) To ensure monitoring implementation of expert commission recommendations and analysis of schools self-evaluation reports To arrange quality assurance process of continuing education To maintain databases and registers (registers of licensed and accredited programmes, register of schools)

Function and tasks of the Higher Education Quality Evaluation Centre Function : To arrange accreditation of higher education institutions and study programmes (including higher professional programmes) Tasks : To receive from the Ministry of Education and Science and to check the HEIs applications for accreditations To arrange accreditation commissions (from national and foreign experts) approved by the Accreditation Commission of Higher Education Programmes and/or Higher Education Council To make agreements with HEI and colleges concerning the assurance and to coordinate the work of accreditation commissions To prepare and disseminate information to public regarding the process and results of accreditation

Legal framework Education Law (1998) Vocational Education Law (1999) Cabinet Regulations Procedure of accrediting general and vocational education programmes, education establishments and examination centres (September 2010) Law on Higher Education Institutions (1995)

Procedure of accrediting programmes and schools Education establishment submits application and self- evaluation report to the State Service for Education Quality Self-evaluation report includes: general characteristics of school main aim of school action (the previous school year priorities and particular results) the implementation of previous assessment period recommendations school's performance in quality indicators regarding relevant criteria of all areas other achievements future developments

Procedure of accrediting programmes and schools State Service for Education Quality arranges external expert commission Expert commission consists of: representative of the Ministry of Education and Science, State Education Content Centre representatives of other schools education specialists of the local governments representatives of other ministries, local governments, NGOs, employers, craft masters and trade unions Number of experts depends on number and types of programmes and number of students

Procedure of accrediting programmes and schools Expert commission prepares their report and recommendations and submits them to the Service Commission assesses quality... according to four levels: I – insufficient II – sufficient III – good IV – very good providing short descriptions (indicate achievements and necessary improvements)

Procedure of accrediting programmes and schools Expert commission assesses the following areas: education content (implemented education programmes) teaching and learning quality of teaching quality of learning assessment as part of the learning process students achievements (in daily work, in national exams) support for learners 1. psychological support, social pedagogical support and student safety 2. support for personality development 3. support for career guidance 4. support for teaching/learning differentiation 5. support for learners with special needs 6. cooperation with the students' family

Procedure of accrediting programmes and schools Expert commission assesses the following areas (continued): schools environment (microclimate and physical environment) schools resources (equipment and materially resources; human resources) schools action organization, management and quality assurance: 1. schools self-evaluation of action and development planning 2. work of schools management and personnel management schools cooperation with other institutions

Procedure of accrediting programmes and schools Accreditation Commission reviews the submitted reports and provides recommendations about accreditation The Service makes decision about the period of accreditation: education establishments – for undetermined period (if it implements at least one accredited programme) examination centres or education establishments (implementing professional improvement, vocationally oriented or continuing vocational education programmes) – for 6 years education establishments – for 2 years education programmes – for 2 or 6 years

Description of quality assurance in the Latvian vocational education Gunta Kinta Academic Information Centre NCP-VET-CO project fourth meeting 21 – 22 October 2010 in Prague