11. Educational Improvement and Quality Assurance

Network 11 aims to stimulate scientific research and academic discourse on definition, structure, implementation, assessment and impact of educational improvement and quality. Studies related to this network may refer to schools and other formal educational institutions, to supra-national or international organizations, to non formal educational agencies and to informal initiatives that promote or affect education.

Educational Institutions

Schools and other educational institutions, as essential active institutions where education is professionally promoted, are relevant institutions for research on effectiveness and quality assurance.  There are many elements that could be studied in order to scientifically define what a true educational institution of quality is, besides the composition, structure and functioning of these institutions is shaped by many internal and external factors, so researchers will find a diverse and wide spectrum of themes to be considered in order to promote knowledge and improvement of educational effectiveness or such institutions’ quality assurance.  

Educational Systems

Most institutions promoting education are inserted in other super-structures, usually known as educational systems, which provide resources, appoint professionals, shape frames and supervise educational implementation of politics on education. As main relevant, active and determining structures, the improvement of educational systems in general (and in particular countries) may be a theme to be researched by contributors to Network 11.

Supra-national/international Organizations

In addition some supra-national and international organizations define and supervise educational effectiveness and quality assurance with different perspectives and on particular geographical areas. The analysis of these contributions may also be researched in order to make evident their influence on educational improvement and quality assurance and to highlight successful approaches. 

European focus

Although not exclusively, the European approach to quality of education, and its relationship with other non-European initiatives, is of particular interest to our network. Comparison of European education with the one offered in other diverse geographical and socio-political contexts is becoming progressively relevant to improve effectiveness and quality of European citizens’ and other people’s education. As a consequence, contributions offered by representatives of non European countries are very beneficial to collaborative efforts to promote education in Europe and in other contexts and to impel collaborative research on these matters. 

Other Initiatives, non formal agencies

Apart from formal institutions, official organizations and public systems, there are other initiatives that may be effectively contributing to educational promotion and increase of education quality.  One example are different companies and corporations who are sometimes implementing very solid and effective programmes of training and educating their own staff, members of other corporations and even particular professionals. Approaches, designs, implementation, results and impact of these initiatives may also be a theme for relevant studies with influence on educational quality assurance. But there is also a wide spectrum of non formal agencies who sometimes act in the field of education with important programmes and systematic initiatives. Their effect on educational quality promotion may also be relevant to be presented and discussed in Network 11. Also debates and discussions on studies dedicated to informal initiatives that implement particular activities having direct or indirect effect on education may be included in Network 11 discussions.