“The Polish QF and its focus on quality assurance”.

Ewa Chmielecka, Warsaw School of Economics, Bologna Expert, Poland

Seminar: „Jak spolu souvisí národní rámec kvalifikací a kvalita vzdělávání?“

Prague, 24 June 2013

Contents

Intention: to present the Polish QF for HE case as an example of good (?) practice answering the question of QF and quality assurance – Structure of the PL QF– Systems of quality assurance in context of PQF– Example: changes in the PL higher education

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The scope and structure of the Polish QF (PQF)

8 levels. Three categories of level descriptors: knowledge, skills, social competences.

In the PQF: 2 categories of level descriptors by their degree of detail universal (first stage) typical for different types of education (second stage).

Possible third stage generic descriptors (e.g. in sectors, HE). Covers all types qualifications

Full qualifications Partial qualifications

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Key aspects of the comprehensive description of LO

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KnowledgeScope Completeness of the cognitive perspective

Depth of understanding Dependencies

Skills

Problem solving and applying knowledge in practice

Complexity of the problemInnovation in the approachIndependence of actionsConditions under which one acts

Learning IndependenceMethods

Communication Scope of expressionComplexity of expression

Social competence

Identity

ParticipationSense of responsibilityConduct

Cooperation

Team workConditions under which one actsLeadership

Responsibility

Consequences of one’s own actionsConsequences of the team’s actionsEvaluation

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Structure of the Polish Qualifications Framework

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elementary schoolcertificate of completing elementary school 1

lower secondary school

certificate of completing lower secondary school 2

basic vocational school

certificate of completing basic vocational school

not yet determined

vocational certificate 3

vocational diploma 3

upper secondary technical school

certificate of completing the upper secondary technical school

not yet determined

vocational certificate3 or 4

depending on the qualification

vocational diploma 4

matura certificate 4

general upper secondary school

certificate of completing general upper secondary school

not yet determined

matura certificate 4

Qualifications awarded in the Polish education system below higher education (children and youth)

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Qualifications awarded in the Polish higher education system

Type of studies: Name of qualification ECTS creditsPlanned

qualification level in the PQF

first cycle studies (Bologna first cycle)

diploma certifying the professional titleof licencjat /inzynier or equivalent

title at least 180 6

second cycle studies (Bologna second cycle)

or

long cycle studies

diploma certifying the professional titleof magister /magister inżynier orequivalent title (e.g. physician)

second cycle studies – at least

90

long cycle master degree studies:

at least 300 (5 year studies), 360 (six year studies)

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third cycle studies (Bologna third cycle)

diploma certifying the academic degree of doktor in a specific discipline

45-60 8

additionally:postgraduate non-degree studies certificates of completion of

postgraduate non-degree studies

at least 60; (the studies should

not be less than two semesters)

depending on the programme

Learning outcomes in the PQF (PQF/EQF referencing criterion 3 on LO)

All qualifications in the PQF (in the Q-register) have to be described in the terms of learning outcomes (knowledge, skills, social competences).

In the GE and formal VET learning outcomes principle are included in core curricula, implemented by law. In GE and VET learning outcomes define also examination standards

In HE learning outcomes and their validation must be described for the study programmes of specific fields in the eight broad areas of study This is under control of QA systems

In non-formal sector application of LO not very common

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Expectations concerning the PL QF– learning outcomes orientation

• General – transparency, – comparability, – Quality assurance enhancement – building mutual trust (national and international aspect) – openness for stakeholders– better fit for labor market needs – LLL driver – ….

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Expectations [2] concerning the PL QF for HE – learning outcomes orientation

Increased autonomy of HEIs – Diversification of HEIs– Variety of programs, methods .. But Comparability of programs by common points of

reference – Not content based– Assigning qualifications (diplomas) to levels– Protecting quality

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Qualifications Framework And

Quality Assurancecase of the PL higher education

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The hierarchy of learning outcomes

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8 broad areas of study

Based on the descriptors of PQF typical for higher education the descriptors for eight broad areas of study and two profiles have been developed on the national level (first and second cycle)

1. Humanities2. Social sciences3. Exact sciences4. Life sciences5. Engineering and technology6. Medical sciences and health sciences 7. Agriculture, forestry and veterinary sciences8. Fine arts

Main force to implement PQF for HE

Competent Independent Highly motivated Accreditation Body

• Polish Accreditation Committee has been involved in development of QF for HE from the first meeting of the Working Group on QF for HE in 2006.

The advice given by Bologna Experts Actions undertaken by the Ministry for Science&HE

The role of quality assurance body

The Polish Accreditation Committee is required to perform a qualitative assessment of how higher education institutions are implementing educational regulations.

Amendments to the Act on Higher Education of March 2011 required that the PAC include the process of qualifications framework implementation in its assessment process of higher education institutions.

The PAC is a member of the European Quality Assurance Register, which means that it complies with the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance for Higher Education.

The PAC prepared to fulfill this task by adopting the appropriate resolution

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The PL QF HE implementation [1]

• Context 1: expected reluctance of the academic community • Context 2: enlarging autonomy in curricula design• Context 3: expected difficulties with “learning outcomes” approach Training: More than 250 seminars, workshops, conferences provided in 2008-2012 (and

still continued) by– Ministry of Science &HE– Bologna Experts Team– Projects of the Human Capital Development Program

„converted seminars” „millionaires” competition QF Advisors • In total - about 18 000 of academic workers participated in the training• „cascade” training system at HEIs.

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The PL QF HE implementation [2] Websites:

– the ministry of HE,– the Bologna Experts, – Institute of Educational Research

publications : – 3 PL books, – many other issues– Translations: like German “Yes, go!”

Strong support given by the rectors conferences and other HE bodies

Exceptional financial support on base of the European funds

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The PL QF HE implementation: first results

• Implementation of LO approach (end of the 2012/13 academic year):• expectation concerning the academic community resistance –

confirmed • but the most of results quite promising

– New curricula and syllabi prepared and well established in all HEI for level 6 and 7, corrected this year with much better understanding.

– Post-diploma and PhD studies curricula under reconstruction – New degree programs – opportunities taken from enlarged

autonomy – breathtaking! – Much better understanding the PQF significance, profits,

other aspects: • „I have in hand all necessary tools for individualization of studying I am

implementing now”.

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Thank you for your attention!

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