The role of self-evaluation for quality of work and work conditions ECER 2007 – Contested Qualities of Educational Research Ghent, Belgium, 19 – 22 September 2007 By Nikitas Patiniotis and Theodora Asimakou

Introduction Key-concepts: Evaluation and Self- evaluation, Empowerment, and Quality Working Conditions and Quality of Employment Conceptual Framework (International Labour Organization) Operational Framework Conclusion

Quality System-approach Articulation of principles Necessity of control An engineering way of thinking Participation and communication

Quality Management in the Educational Sector Education lacks measurable elements Still the same concept of quality systems has been introduced Change to new forms of evaluation, e.g. self-evaluation, empowerment Shift from central control to the process of judgment

Self-evaluation and Empowerment Self-evaluation as response to the measurable requirements of dominant evaluation processes Opportunity for taking ownership of the process and reflect upon while being involved in it Opportunity to take action after the completion of the process

Tool Dimension: Work Conditions and Quality of Employment Impact of the quality of contemporary employment (e.g. technologies, intensification of work, etc) upon : Physical health (e.g. myoskeletical disorders) Psychological health (e.g. stress and signs of depression) Life beyond work (e.g. personal, life, and social life)

Conceptual Framework (ILO) Work time flexible work, part-time work, etc Wages and income Minimum wage, discrimination based on gender Work and family Nature of family, social provisions Working conditions and work organization Risks at work, resources to conduct work, career development Workplace violence and harassment Verbal abuse, and bullying to hitting

Operational Framework: the tool Social status Labour market Work organization CVT for trainers At 4 levels Structural Institutional Group/team individual

Conclusion Need for new methods of evaluation in Educational Sector –hence self-evaluation However IT has not equally penetrated into all EU countries Self-evaluation is still a new practice The proliferation of e-tools hardly survives after the launch into the market