Comparative Quality Assurance: Different Models

1
Comparative Quality Assurance Different Models

• Deane Neubauer
• Victor Ordonez
• East West Center

2
The Quality Movement in Higher Education

• Influence of private sector reforms
• Accountability
• Performance-based assessment
• Quality assurance
• Market relevance
• Broad policy influences
• Transition from quantitative expansion to
  qualitative consolidation accompanying shift from
  elite to mass higher education
• Diversification of financial resources for the
  university sector
• Common trend of comprehensive reviews of higher
  education systems.
• Examples UK, Hong Kong, Singapore

3
Accreditation by Authority

• Associational Model--United States
• Six Regional Authorities New England,
  Middle-States, Southern, North Central,
  Northwest, Western
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges
• Senior Commission
• ACCJC--Association of Community Colleges and
  Junior Colleges
• WASC--Schools Commission
• Federal authorization via Higher Education Act

4
Legal Authorities

• National Legal Stipulation
• National Legal Authorization
• Regional Cooperation--e.g. EU

5
Linking Consequences to Performance

• Hong Kong Distribution of public funds linked to
  quality assurance outcomes in teaching in
  research
• Singapore use of internal and external reviews
  to calibrate funding portion of competitive
  funding for research increased
• De-centralization in both systems represent
  autonomy for accountability
• UK Distribution of public funds linked to
  research quality assessments

6
Australian Structure

• Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA
• Conducts periodic audits of universities quality
  assurance processes and those of State/Territory
  higher education accreditation agencies
• Higher education approvals process