Self-assessment is one of the best ways for a tertiary education organisation (TEO) to understand and improve its educational performance.
Self-assessment is a systematic process of data-driven self-reflection. It is directed towards coherent and clearly articulated goals to inform decision-making and operational practices.
The components of self-assessment
Self-assessment across an organisation has four main components:
- systematic data gathering
- robust data analysis that leads to valid conclusions
- reflective processes that involve all people in the organisation
- decision-making for ongoing improvement connected to the outcomes of a self-reflective process.
TEOs generate a large amount of data. Analysing and making sense of this data enables better decision-making.
Good self-assessment is only possible when a range of people in the organisation are involved. This includes teachers, non-teaching staff, students and other stakeholders such as employers.
The benefits of self-assessment
Self-assessment enables a tertiary education organisation to find out:
- what outcomes learners are achieving and how well
- the value of the outcomes to stakeholders including learners
- the effectiveness of processes in contributing to these outcomes.
By identifying strengths and weaknesses, a TEO can develop and implement an improvement strategy that results in actual, worthwhile improvements.
On this page
Effective self-assessment
We don't prescribe how to conduct self-assessment. But your process should be comprehensive, authentic, transparent and robust with a focus on:
Outcomes
What is being achieved and the value for learners, employers and the wider community.
Needs assessment
The extent to which TEOs systematically determine and address the needs of learners, employers and the wider community.
Processes and practices
The processes and practices that help to achieve outcomes. For example, the primary importance of good teaching, or the role of effective learner support services.
Learner achievement
The impact of educational provision on learner progress and achievement.
Using what is learned
Evidence-based conclusions and decision-making that will feed into strategic and business planning, leading to positive change.
Actual improvement
The extent to which improvements are relevant and worthwhile.