QUALTRACK QUALITY ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK
One of the key challenges in adult education is establishing a robust quality assurance system. Current analyses of adult learning, both within the project partnership countries and beyond, reveal that this sector lacks cohesion. Instead, it resembles a free market environment driven by supply and demand, albeit with some regulation in areas like retraining. However, informal adult education is considered to be of public interest and there is a consensus that it plays a significant role in achieving social development goals, including preparing our society for a competitive economy. Nonetheless, adult learning providers face a different reality in practice.
The absence of quality rating tools has led contracting authorities to define various sub-criteria that fail to guarantee the quality of the educational process. Effective strategies for informing adults about learning opportunities are crucial for ensuring the quality and effectiveness of adult learning. It is important to establish mechanisms for monitoring educational quality and effectiveness. Potential learners should not only have information about the educational offerings available to them but also about the quality of the providers offering these educational opportunities.
About the QUALTRACK MODEL
In today’s rapidly evolving landscape of adult education and professional development, ensuring the quality and effectiveness of learning programs has become more crucial than ever. Adult learners, employers and society as a whole rely on the ability of education providers to deliver high-quality, relevant and impactful learning experiences that meet the diverse needs of individuals and organizations. However, with the proliferation of education providers and the increasing complexity of the learning ecosystem, it can be challenging for stakeholders to assess and compare the quality of different offerings.
This is where QUALTRACK comes in. QUALTRACK, short for Quality Rating System for Adult Learning Providers, is a comprehensive framework designed to evaluate and promote excellence in adult education. The system aims to provide a standardized, evidence-based approach to assessing the quality of education providers, enabling learners, employers and funding bodies to make informed decisions and fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the industry.
At its core, QUALTRACK is grounded in the belief that quality in adult education is multidimensional and encompasses various aspects of an education provider’s operations, from its institutional background and lecturer team to its educational process and customer approach. The framework defines six key areas of evaluation, each with its own set of criteria:
This area focuses on the education provider’s vision, strategy, values, communication, innovation, non-discrimination policies, data protection, fair remuneration, documentation, student support, legal compliance and information transparency. By assessing these aspects, QUALTRACK aims to ensure that education providers have a solid foundation and are committed to ethical, responsible and learner-centered practices.
The quality of an education provider’s lecturer team is critical to the success of its learning programs. QUALTRACK evaluates factors such as lecturers’ qualifications, expertise in adult education, alignment with learner needs, use of interactive and engaging teaching methods and participation in continuous professional development. The framework also assesses the provider’s processes for recruiting, managing and supporting its lecturer team.
QUALTRACK places a strong emphasis on the design, delivery and evaluation of learning programs. It assesses how well education providers align their offerings with learner needs, set clear learning objectives, adapt to learner feedback and measure the impact of their programs. The framework also evaluates the use of hands-on, practical learning experiences and integrating performance support and post-training reinforcement.
The quality of an education provider’s learning environment, resources and technologies is another key factor in the success of its programs. QUALTRACK assesses the adequacy and accessibility of facilities, equipment and learning materials, as well as the provider’s use of innovative technologies and pedagogical approaches. The framework also evaluates the provider’s commitment to inclusive design and learner support.
QUALTRACK recognizes that a customer-centric mindset is essential for education providers to meet the evolving needs of learners and employers. The framework assesses how well providers communicate with customers, tailor their offerings to specific requirements, build long-term partnerships and measure customer satisfaction and success. It also evaluates providers’ flexibility, responsiveness and accountability in delivering results.
In addition to the core evaluation areas, QUALTRACK includes a series of optional “badges” that recognize education providers’ exceptional achievements or innovative practices. These badges cover topics such as social responsibility, learning analytics, international collaboration and more. By earning badges, providers can demonstrate their commitment to excellence and differentiate themselves in the market.
Through this comprehensive and rigorous evaluation process, QUALTRACK aims to provide a trusted and transparent framework for assessing the quality of adult education providers. By setting clear standards and benchmarks, the system encourages providers to strive for excellence and continuous improvement, ultimately benefiting learners, employers and society.
Moreover, QUALTRACK is not just an assessment tool, but also a resource for education providers to guide their quality improvement efforts. The framework provides detailed criteria, best practices and examples for each evaluation area, as well as access to a network of experts and peers who can offer guidance and support. By participating in QUALTRACK, education providers can gain valuable insights into their strengths and areas for improvement, as well as access to resources and collaborations that can help them enhance their offerings and impact.
QUALTRACK represents a significant step forward in the quest for quality in adult education. By providing a comprehensive, evidence-based and learner-centered framework for evaluating education providers, the system aims to foster excellence, transparency and continuous improvement in the industry. As the demand for high-quality adult learning continues to grow, QUALTRACK will play an essential role in helping learners, employers and education providers navigate the complex landscape of lifelong learning and skills development.