Qualityassuranceingeneraleducationsteeringinsteadof.pdfVIP

Quality assurance in general education: steering instead of control In Finland the quality of education and training is seen as a key factor related to the ef?ciency of education and training as well as the equality of individuals. Local autonomy in education is extensive in Finland. In addition to practical teaching arrangements education providers are responsible for the e ectiveness and quality of the education provided. The evolution towards today’s system deciding on quality management. The sessments of learning outcomes. Educa- started already in the early 1990s when legislation obliges the providers to evalu- tion providers have to evaluate their own the education administration was de- ate their education and its e ectiveness education and its e ectiveness as well as centralised. At the same time school and as well as participate in external evalu- to take part in the external evaluations. textbook inspections ations. The education For external evaluation of education were abolished. providers decide on the there is an independent evaluation body Until the early Strong focus on methods used and the under the Ministry of Education and 1990s, quality assur- self-evaluation frequency of the qual- Culture. This body organises evaluation in ance was largely based ity assurance measures. a network of cooperation. on norms and inspec- Both education tions. The inspections providers and schools National assessments of were carried out to ensure that regula- are recommended to have a plan for evalu- learning outcomes aim to develop tions were observed, to provide guidance ation and development. The aims of evalu-