ARTICLES

Good Practice Approach to External Evaluation and Review

The following good practice 'techniques and approaches' have been developed by Croydon Consulting for PTEs to use before and during a NZQA External Evaluation and Review.

• Ensure all stakeholders involved in the Evaluation have a 'shared vision' and 'common understanding' of the organisation's purpose, strategic direction and strategic plan.
• Take a positive, proactive approach and 'front up' to any serious issues before the External Evaluation takes place, by implementing a documented Improvement Plan or remedial action.
• Adopt a strengths-based approach and ensure that the organisation's special character, distinctive contribution and associated strengths are recognised and valued.
• Be open and honest, act in 'good faith' and ensure that your comments are focused and considered, and are consistent with the values, mission and strategic direction of the organisation.
• Adopt an evidence-based and outcomes-focused approach - support the PTEs key achievements and outcomes with valid, reliable, documented evidence and detailed examples.
• Be aware that the External Evaluation and resulting Statements of confidence, are based on NZQA's inquiry into only a small number of ' targeted sample activities' (called Focus areas) within the PTE - so ensure that the sample Focus areas selected for the Evaluation are 'appropriate' and 'representative' of the organisation's activities.
• Challenge any poor quality evaluation practice by NZQA (including any unnecessary changes to the Evaluation Scope or any 'surprises' in the draft Report); and dispute any Future Actions/Recommendations in the Report that you consider to be impractical or unsustainable.
• Treat the Evaluators professionally, respectfully and courteously during the External Evaluation (and expect the same treatment in return), especially when clarifying or questioning NZQA's evaluation practice/ methods or any findings in the Evaluation Report.
• Be prepared to: question NZQA on their use of any invalid evidence, challenge any
  judgements based on personal opinion -instead of the evaluation criteria, and contest any NZQA 'Performance/Capability Ratings' in the draft Report that are not supported by verifiable evidence, sound reasoning and common sense.
• Ensure that NZQA's Report adopts a balanced, strategically focused, holistic approach, and that NZQA's 'Statements of confidence/ Key reasons' are logical, consistent and reflect the PTE's context, special character and purpose.
• Treat the Evaluation as an independent, fresh perspective, and an opportunity to learn and inform/focus the organisation's own Self Assessment and planning for continuous improvement.
  

Written by Peter Keith, Education Management Consultant, for Croydon Consulting Ltd.