Validation of Non-formal Adult Education courses REACTION No CP LT-GRUNDTVIG-G1

Definition of Validation Validation is a process by which an awarding body shall satisfy itself that a learner may attain knowledge, skill and competence for the purpose of an award Validation is a process by which an awarding body shall satisfy itself that a learner may attain knowledge, skill and competence for the purpose of an award It is a quality assurance mechanism It is a quality assurance mechanism As a result of an inspection/assessment an institution or/and its programmes are recognised as meeting minimum acceptable standards As a result of an inspection/assessment an institution or/and its programmes are recognised as meeting minimum acceptable standards

Validation Reflection? Process of inspection – carried out by the HEI - which determines if the non formal adult education programme is meeting minimum acceptable standards Process of inspection – carried out by the HEI - which determines if the non formal adult education programme is meeting minimum acceptable standards CAN WE AGREE? Is there any Country where such a definition does not apply? CAN WE AGREE? Is there any Country where such a definition does not apply?

Can we agree? Validation is summative. Validation is summative. It is aimed at certification It is aimed at certification It is for the purpose of formal recognition It is for the purpose of formal recognition

The Model Process evaluation decision appeal review submission

Submission Course provider makes a submission to HEI or awarding body Course provider makes a submission to HEI or awarding body Submission to be in documentary form Submission to be in documentary form Submission to follow standard format Submission to follow standard format Submission to focus on 2 levels Submission to focus on 2 levels –(1) Course content, learning outcomes, assessment, delivery –(2) quality assurance mechanisms of the provider

Submission Do you validate a course or do you validate a provider? Do you validate a course or do you validate a provider? PROPOSE: PROPOSE: –Agree quality assurance with the provider –Validate the course

Stage 2 Evaluation HEI has published guidelines and criteria for the validation of NFAE courses based on the THREE Cs HEI has published guidelines and criteria for the validation of NFAE courses based on the THREE Cs Consistency Consistency Coherence Coherence Capacity Capacity HEI appoints a trained panel of assessors to analyse the application, visit the provider to determine if the proposal meets the standards. HEI appoints a trained panel of assessors to analyse the application, visit the provider to determine if the proposal meets the standards.

Evaluation reflection What are the standards? What are the standards? Who sets them? Who sets them? Proposal: Proposal: Standards are based on learning outcomes Standards are based on learning outcomes HEI sets the standards in accordance with national and international norms – in consultation with NFAE providers HEI sets the standards in accordance with national and international norms – in consultation with NFAE providers

DECISION Trained panel of assessors report on the validation visit Trained panel of assessors report on the validation visit Panel makes a recommendation to the HEI Panel makes a recommendation to the HEI HEI validates the programme HEI validates the programme HEI assigns credits HEI assigns credits HEI appoints an external examiner HEI appoints an external examiner HEI agrees a schedule of monitoring HEI agrees a schedule of monitoring

On validation……… Do we agree??? Do we agree??? External examiners are necessary External examiners are necessary Course should be reviewed within 2 years Course should be reviewed within 2 years Annual reports should be provided to the HEI Annual reports should be provided to the HEI ECTS should be the credit system ECTS should be the credit system

APPEAL A decision not to validate the programme may be appealed by provider A decision not to validate the programme may be appealed by provider This appeal may only be lodged on process grounds This appeal may only be lodged on process grounds HEIs will have clearly published grounds for appeal HEIs will have clearly published grounds for appeal

Programmatic/Institutional Review Programmes will be reviewed in order to determine if it still meets the required standards Programmes will be reviewed in order to determine if it still meets the required standards A HEI may chose to continue or withdraw validation A HEI may chose to continue or withdraw validation

Responsibilities - HEI HEI/Awarding body HEI/Awarding body Clear policy on validation of NFAE Clear policy on validation of NFAE Guidelines for validation of NFAE Guidelines for validation of NFAE Establish a committee for the validation of NFAE Establish a committee for the validation of NFAE

Responsibilities - Provider Design the programme to meet the standard Design the programme to meet the standard Submit the programme for validation Submit the programme for validation Ensure the QA for the programme Ensure the QA for the programme Deliver the validated programme Deliver the validated programme Assess the learners in accordance with the agreed assessment strategy Assess the learners in accordance with the agreed assessment strategy Monitor and evaluate the programme Monitor and evaluate the programme

Any further responsibilities?? At what stage should learners be involved? At what stage should learners be involved?

Validation Submission Format Provider Information Provider Information Award Information Award Information Access Transfer and Progression Access Transfer and Progression Programme Information Programme Information Declaration Declaration