1. RH / OAQ / December 2006 / page 1 European Quality Labels – Background 9 European Quality Label Initiatives supported by EU commission In line with other EU initiatives (market orientation in QA, sectoral QF, etc.) Other privately organized domain specific accreditation agencies in Europe competitive environment for national/regional accreditation agencies

2. RH / OAQ / December 2006 / page 2 European Quality Labels – Strengths Strongly oriented towards learning outcomes Supported by sectors/professional associations Clarity/specificity of expectations Attractive for HEIs/students

3. RH / OAQ / December 2006 / page 3 European Quality Labels – Weaknesses Overregulation/bureaucracy Monodisciplinarity as a danger Decreased transparency for consumers (label proliferation) No clear European policy on these issues sustainability unclear

4. RH / OAQ / December 2006 / page 4 European Quality Labels – ECA position Strengths of nationally established QA/Accreditation agencies Concerns about European quality labels Full consumer protection has to be guaranteed Domain specific standards can supplement genuine quality standards

5. RH / OAQ / December 2006 / page 5 Learning outcome orientation in external QA Overarching Qualification Framework (QF) adopted by ministers in Bergen 2005, to be implemented on national level until 2010 (NQF) QFs are based on learning outcomes, competences and skills There is a link between NQF and national QA system New challenge for QAAs: to develop learning outcome oriented QA/accreditation systems

6. RH / OAQ / December 2006 / page 6 Example of learning outcome oriented accreditation system ABET – programme accreditation checks: whether study programmes formulate explicit learning outcomes whether curricula fit to stated learning outcomes how students can demonstrate competences if HEI uses assessment results for further improvement of study programmes

7. RH / OAQ / December 2006 / page 7 Assessment for Quality Assurance

8. RH / OAQ / December 2006 / page 8 ABET – Study of impact of EC 2000 Program curricula changed considerably Differences in student experiences Student learning changed: professional skills gained, technical skills maintained National employers see improvements

9. RH / OAQ / December 2006 / page 9 ECA – International conference on learning outcomes Objectives of conference: Sensibilisation for change: from inputs to outcomes Information about recent European / US trends in this domain Learn how to design and how to assess learning outcomes Discuss influence on existing accreditation systems

10. RH / OAQ / December 2006 / page 10 ECA – International conference on learning outcomes Date/Location: 3/4 September 2007 in Zurich, Switzerland Format: 1 day conference, 1/2 day workshop; social programs Target audience: 300-400 participants (50% from HEIs, 30% from QAAs, 20% other) Contribution ECA: max. 5000 Euro