The purpose of ACE QA is to help ACE organisations be more responsive to their communities and students' needs, enhance the quality of the ACE they deliver and foster continuous improvement. Implementing QA will also assist providers to align their provision with the ACE priorities.
To receive TEC funding from 2008, ACE providers will need to demonstrate commitment to meeting the ACE QA arrangements (PDF, 291 Kb). The TEC, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), the Education Review Office (ERO) and other quality assurance bodies are working closely together to support ACE providers with the implementation of the QA arrangements.
The NZQA is leading the quality assurance function and during 2004 worked collaboratively with the sector to design, develop and trial the QA arrangements. The arrangements were published in April 2005. To find out more about the QA arrangements, see the NZQA website.
The TEC is leading the quality support and capacity building functions. A range of support services have been developed and include:
- introductory training
- supplementary funding to help schools, Rural Education Activities Programmes and some other providers implement QA
- Leading the Way: Arahina Whakamua, an ACE quality assurance resource kit including the Quality in Action guide for ACE providers, templates and other resources, and
- ongoing assistance to TEC ACE networks.
ACE Quality assurance supplementary funding
From 2008, all ACE providers will have to meet the requirements of the QA arrangements if they want to keep receiving funding from the ACE funding pool.
The TEC is now working with NZQA, the Education Review Office and other quality assurance bodies to help ACE providers to satisfy the QA arrangements. NZQA is leading the quality assurance activities while the TEC is leading the implementation support activities.
The 2004 Budget included funding to help providers implement the QA arrangements and for QA bodies to review ACE services.
The ACE QA Supplementary Funding is available to directly funded ACE providers (excluding TEIs) for the period July 2005 to December 2007. Allocations are made annually.
Approval of supplementary funding for 2006 and 2007 was dependant on a provider submitting evidence of progress to the TEC. The reporting periods were:
- Jan 06 - Dec 06 progress report due 31 March 2007
- Jan 07 - Dec 07 progress report due 31 March 2008.
The Jan 07 - Dec 07 progress report (due 31 March 2008) is no longer required.
The December 2007 progress report has been replaced by the NZQA audit report or ERO review report. The outcome of these reports is being communicated directly to the TEC by the relevant quality assurance body.
ACE QA supplementary funding payments for 2008 will be paid in April. No further action is required by providers.
The ACE QA supplementary funding may be used for any direct costs associated with implementation of quality arrangements in ACE services, including:
- participating in the introductory QA training, completing a self-review checklist and preparing a simple action plan
- assessing community needs and supporting indirectly funded community groups participating in ACE delivery
- implementing the ACE quality arrangements
- strengthening professional development for co-ordinators and tutors
- participating in network activities and collaborating with other ACE providers, and
- preparing for ERO reviews or quality audits.
ACE QA resources
Here is list of resources for you to use while implementing ACE QA arrangements:
- ACE QA arrangements: A guide for indirectly funded community groups (PDF, 291 Kb)
- Research references on ACE practices (Word, 140 Kb)
- ACE good/innovative practice case studies (Word, 86 Kb)
- Frequently Asked Questions (Word, 31 Kb)
- ACE related databases, books and websites (Word, 50 Kb)
- Quality Assurance Arrangements for Providers of Adult and Community Education, published by NZQA
- Quality in Action guide (PDF, 436 Kb) – before you start implementing the QA arrangements be sure to read this guide
- Self-review checklist (Word, 94 Kb) – this checklist is a first step for you to take when you start putting QA arrangements into practice. It provides a framework for you to use when reviewing your current ACE practice
- Action Plan – this is an example of an action plan template that you need to develop each year (PDF, 95 Kb)
- Progress Report to TEC (Word, 25 Kb)
Templates – here are examples of templates for you to use to help you implement the QA arrangements. They could also be used as evidence of your achievements: