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Assessment for Provisional Accreditation |
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Mentor Visit |
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Assessment for Accreditation |
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Routine Monitoring Visit |
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Inspection of Premises |
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Investigation of complaint(s) |
Assessment for Provisional Accreditation
Assessments for Provisional Accreditation are conducted by two NEAS Assessment Panellists and take 2-3 hours depending on the size and scope of the provider.
During the assessment the panellists will confirm the following:
| • | key resources required, i.e. senior personnel (Principal Administrator, Director of Studies) premises and facilities, are in place in readiness for the start of ELT operations; |
| • | the visual and textual descriptions of the institution and its facilities appearing in the draft promotional material are accurate and unambiguous; |
| • | the bona fides of the submitted course curricula, i.e. that the Director of Studies is committed to the implementation and further development of the submitted curricula; |
| • | the Principal Administrator has achieved initial familiarity with the regulatory environment of ELT. |
The essential components of a visit are:
| • | an interview with the Principal Administrator; |
| • | an interview with the Director of Studies; |
| • | an inspection of the premises; |
| • | a check the accuracy of draft promotional material. |
After the assessment the NEAS panellists provide a written report to NEAS. Any matters for attention will be fed back to the provider to be addressed before Provisional Accreditation is granted.
Providers may receive a mentoring visit in the course of the Provisional Accreditation year, with a NEAS Assessment Panellist appointed as mentor to the provider. The mentor visit can take 3-4 hours depending on the size and scope of the provider.
The purpose of the mentoring program is:
| • | to give providers an informed opinion on the progress they are making in implementing their accreditation plans; |
| • | to give providers informed advice on issues relating to NEAS accreditation standards and criteria; |
| • | to keep NEAS in touch with the provider’s progress towards meeting accreditation standards, and its assessed strengths and weaknesses, during the Provisional Accreditation year. |
The essential components of a mentoring visit are:
| • | to check that the Principal Administrator and Director of Studies are aware of the role of the mentor and purpose of the mentoring scheme; |
| • | to discuss programs and services and view them in operation; |
| • | to check that the premises, staff, services, student numbers and courses continue to comply with the provider’s Conditions of Accreditation (Provisional); |
| • | to confer with the Director of Studies on implementation of the curriculum. |
After the visit the NEAS Assessment Panellist provides a report to NEAS and
any matters for attention are fed back to the provider.
Assessments for accreditation are conducted by two NEAS Assessment Panellists in tandem. They normally take place approximately twelve months after the commencement of ELT classes, when the institution could be expected to have developed operating systems, although still at an early stage. The visit usually takes 3-4 hours depending on the size and scope of the provider.
During the Accreditation Assessment Visit the panellists assess the following:
| • | The provider’s compliance with all NEAS standards and criteria for the delivery of ELT; |
The essential components of a visit for accreditation assessment are:
| • | To check that the premises, facilities, staff, services and student numbers comply with NEAS standards; |
| • | To discuss programs, services and procedures and view them in operation; |
| • | To view teaching-learning materials; |
| • | To view relevant documentation held by the institution (eg teacher resumes, attendance records, curriculum documentation); |
| • | To check the accuracy of all promotional material. |
After the Accreditation assessment visit NEAS receives a detailed report on
all aspects of the ELT operation and its compliance with NEAS Standards.
An Accreditation Committee is then convened which consists of the two
panellist
who undertook the Accreditation Assessment Visit, an Independent Assessor
and two representatives from NEAS.
A decision as to the granting of accreditation is made at this time, and the provider notified accordingly.
Routine monitoring visits of accredited institutions take place at approximately annual intervals, the first one no sooner than twelve months following the grant of accreditation.
Routine Monitoring Visits are normally conducted by one NEAS Assessment panellist and can take 3-4 hours depending on the size and scope of the provider.
During the Routine Monitoring Visit the panellist will:
| • | assess the accredited institution for continuing compliance with NEAS standards and criteria and its own conditions of accreditation; |
| • | check that the premises, facilities, staff, services and student numbers continue to comply with NEAS standards and the institution’s own conditions of accreditation; |
| • | discuss programs and services and viewing them in operation; |
| • | view teaching-learning materials; |
| • | view relevant documentation held by the institution (e.g. teacher resumes, student attendance records, curriculum documentation); |
| • | check the accuracy of promotional material; |
| • | review the progress made by the institution in correcting matters previously brought to its attention by NEAS (if any); |
| • | verify through the onsite visit that the information contained in the annual return and promotional literature is accurate; |
| • | informally advise the institution on its perceived strengths and/or matters which are in need of further attention. |
After the visit a detailed report is provided to NEAS and any matters for attention will be fed back to the provider and expected to be satisfactorily addressed within 28 days.
A premises inspection is required in either of these two circumstances:
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An accredited (or a candidate) institution wishes to expand its ELT operation, extending into new premises attached to, or nearby, its present ones |
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An accredited institution wishes to change its premises. |
Premises visits are normally conducted by one NEAS Assessment panellist and take up to 1-2 hours depending on the proposed changes.
During a premises visit the NEAS panellist will confirm the following:
| • | the premises are as indicated in the submitted plans; |
| • | the premises are in compliance with the NEAS standard for accredited premises; |
| • | where an extension of premises is involved, also check that the staff, facilities and resources are adequate, or potentially adequate, for the proposed increase in student numbers; |
| • | interview senior management to form a view as to whether facilities, staff and resources will be adequate for the proposed number of students. |
The NEAS Assessment panellist provides a report on the above to NEAS. NEAS then notifies the provider of any change in accreditation details in relation to premises and student numbers and also notifies the state registering authorities accordingly.
Investigations of complaints do not follow a pattern. They are conducted as a result of a written complaint about an ELT provider being received by NEAS. Each is individual.
In each case, a NEAS staff member or a NEAS assessment panellist is given a detailed briefing and provided with the necessary documentation.
Reporting is descriptive and directly related to the issues about which the complaint was made. After the visit the provider will be notified of areas to be addressed and these will be expected to be addressed within 28 days.