Description of quality assurance in the Latvian vocational education

1. Description of quality assurancein theLatvian vocational education Gunta Kinta Academic Information Centre www.aic.lv NCP-VET-CO project fourth meeting 21 – 22 October 2010 in Prague

2. 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

3. Bodiesresponsible for quality assurance • State Service for Education Quality (since July 2009) – basic and secondary education level, http://www.ivi.gov.lv • Higher Education Quality Evaluation Centre (1994)– higher education level, http://www.aiknc.lv

4. Functions and tasks of theState 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)

5. Function and tasks of theHigher 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

6. 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)

7. Procedure of accrediting programmesandschools • 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

8. Procedure of accrediting programmesandschools • 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

9. 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)

10. 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

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

12. 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

13. Description of quality assurancein theLatvian vocational education Gunta Kinta Academic Information Centre www.aic.lv NCP-VET-CO project fourth meeting 21 – 22 October 2010 in Prague