PEQAB's Internal Quality Assurance
The Board is committed to quality in the fulfillment of its mandate. Its internal quality assurance policy delineates
the Board's commitment to quality and outlines the general framework for work on assuring and improving the quality of the Board's activities,
processes, and procedures, now and in the future. Part of this commitment includes
- A comprehensive internal review of its activities, based on internationally recognized best practice, conducted at least every seven years
addressing at least the Board's accountability; transparency; resources; legislative mandate; relationship with postsecondary institutions; requirements
for institutional/program performance and institutional self-evaluation and reporting; review of institutions; and collaboration with other quality assurance agencies.
- An external review of the quality of the Board's operation and its compliance with international best practice at least every seven years.
The documents below are reports of these activities.
Self-Study Report
To ensure that the Board continues to implement its criteria in a fair, full and consistent manner, PEQAB embarked on a comprehensive internal review of its processes and criteria, and secretariat operations. The self-study was finalized in December 2009.
Report on Self-Study Recommendations
Over the course of 2010, the Board implemented the recommendations of the Self-Study. A report on progress was prepared in November 2010.
External Review Report
It is good practice for quality assurance agencies to undertake an external review of their activities on a regular basis. PEQAB undertook such a review for several reasons:
- Ensure the Board continues to provide sound advice to the Minister
- Ensure that the Board continues to implement its criteria in a fair, full and consistent manner
- Ensure the Board's own continuous improvement
- Certify the Board's adherence to international best practice for quality assurance agencies (including regular external review)
- An important step in the Board's development from a new to a mature agency
- Enhance the credibility of the Board and its decisions
- Support the Board's leadership in quality assurance
The external review was conducted over a four-month period from December, 2010, to March, 2011. The three-member panel, appointed on the basis of nominations made by the Board, included:
- one international expert in quality assurance: Dr. Steven D. Crow, former President, Higher Learning Commission of The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and former INQAAHE Board member. Dr. Crow served as Chair of the review panel;
- one representative of a Canadian quality assurance agency: Dr. Nicholas Rubidge, Chair, Degree Quality Assessment Board (B.C.), President and CEO, College of the Rockies; and
- one former president of an Ontario university: Dr. Lorna Marsden, President Emeritus, former Vice-Chancellor, professor, and member of the Board of Governors, York University.
The panel reviewed documents, including the Self-Study Report and the Report on Self-Study Recommendations, conducted a site visit, and held interviews with Board members, the secretariat, and a wide variety of PEQAB stakeholders.