QUALITY ASSURANCE

QUALITY ASSURANCE IN CANADA Quality Assurance in each province and territory has its own system and approaches

to evaluate post secondary institutions. With increasing competition for international studentship, Canada is required to

develop quality assurance approach acceptable at the international level Ontario government places high priority for post secondary education in:

Accountability Accessibility Quality

Retrieved from : http://www.cmec.ca/160/Programs-and-Initiatives/Postsecondary-Education/Quality-Assurance/index.html February 25, 2016

Shimizu, R. (2013). Does accreditation matter for Arts and Design Schools in Canada? College Quarterly 16(1)

PSE SYSTEMS IN ONTARIO

Public universities Private and out-of-province institutions with authority to grant degrees

in Ontario Public colleges Apprenticeships Private career colleges

Quality Assurance in Post Secondary Education Sector in Ontario

Requirements and responsibilities for various sectors within post secondary system are different

All institutions are accountable to provincial government Universities:

Represented by Council of Ontario Universities (COU) Ontario University Council for Quality Assurance (OUCQA) does not provide institutional level

quality assurance. Universities are responsible for their own quality assurance. Program quality reviews are seen by OUCQA through Quality Assurance Framework

Colleges: Represented by Colleges Ontario (CO) Ontario College Quality Assurance Services (OCQAS) provides Quality Assurance at program

level Institutional level Quality Assurance Process through Program Quality Assurance Process Audit

(PQAPA) process

Klassen, T. (2012) Quality Assurance in Ontario Post Secondary Education Sector, Vol. 15, No. 3Retrieved from http://cicic.ca/1178/Quality-assurance-practices-for-postsecondary-institutions-in-Ontario/index.Canada on February 25, 2016

Lennon, M. C. (2014) Incremental steps towards a competency-based post-secondary education system in Ontario. Tuning Journal for Higher Education. 2(1).

Retreived from http://oucqa.ca/framework/1-4-scope-of-application-of-the-institutional-quality-assurance-process/

Quality Assurance Framework

Quality Assurance framework reviews and overseas the quality assurance of publically funded universities

It helps institutions design and implement their own Institutional Quality Assurance Process (IQAP)

QA Framework provides: 1. Protocols for new program approvals 2. Protocols for expedited approvals 3. Protocols for cyclical review of existing programs 4. Audit Process

Framework assures quality of all programs leading to degrees and graduate diplomas regular audit of each university’s quality assurance mechanisms called Institutional Quality

Assurance Process (IQAP)

Retrieved from http://cicic.ca/1264/An-overview/index.Canada on February 25, 2016

Quality Assurance Mechanism in Ontario PSE includes:

Legislation (statutes and regulations) Key performance indicators (KPI) Affiliation External and internal review Professional accreditation Other organizations related to quality assurance

External Review Process External Reviews is conducted by a Review Committee constituted for the purpose of

reviewing undergraduate and graduate programs qualified by discipline and experience External committee comprises of assessors from academic peers or representatives from

relevant industry or profession Review Report to be submitted within two months of site visit External Review assesses:

Bernhard, A. (2012). Quality Assurance in an International Higher Education Area. Springer GmbH

External Review assesses: Program Assessment

New Degree Program Approval Major Modifications to Existing programs Program Closure

Cyclical Program Review Conducted every 8 years which requires arm’s length external review Quality Audit

Accreditation Provincial, national and international program accreditation agencies may conduct independent

reviews to grant accreditation e.g. business program accreditation Site Visit

Bernhard, A. (2012) Quality Assurance in an Higher Education Area.Springer GmbH

Internal Review

Universities conduct self assessment by conducting internal reviews of programs and institution as a whole

Public Colleges conduct self assessment through program advisory committee consisting of industry representatives

Internal Quality Assurance Programs are reviewed on regular cyclical basis

Some institutions may have continuous improvement processes in place Internal Reviews provided to the government for eligibility for direct or

indirect public funding including grants, govt. based student loan revenue

Institutional Process (Internal) Initial Institutional process Identify authorities Identify contact Identify steps Evaluation Criteria Program proposal brief External Review Committee – Selection and appointment Review report Internal Response Institutional approval Cyclical review MonitoringRetrieved from http://oucqa.ca/framework/2-2-initial-institutional-process/

Quality Enhancement Through QA Framework Institutional Autonomy Self Assessment Cyclical Review Standard protocols Audit and peer review

Flow Chart for the Cyclical review for existing programsRetrieved from http://oucqa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Flow-Chart-3-Protocol-for-Cyclical-Review-of-Existing-Programs.pdf

Challenges in Implementation

Patch work Quilt No federal level system Regional differences in structure management and organization Credit transfer at the expense of students External reviews through peer institutions and non governmental

organization Accreditation a matter of choice and professional affiliation. No

Canadian national level agency

Bernhard, A. Quality Assurance in an Higher Education Area - Canada. Springer GmbHWeinrib, J. and Jones, G.A. (2014). Largely a Matter of Degrees: Quality Assurance and Canadian Universities. Policy and Society. 33(3). 225-236 Shimizu, R. (2013). Does accreditation matter for Arts and Design Schools in Canada? College Quarterly 16(1)

Conclusion

Quality Assurance in Canada has improved over years and encompassing all areas of post secondary education

Quality Assurance Framework provides protocols for enhancing quality in PSE sector

Internationalization of education requires a national level approach to streamline higher education in Canada and bring it at par with international institutions