Book Description

This report presents the overall quality assurance framework for initial vocational education in Denmark and the Netherlands and 10 case studies on quality assurance initiatives at Dutch and Danish vocational colleges. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the policy context on quality. Chapter 2 views the quality debate from the perspective of the decentralization or deregulation of vocational education and training (VET) policies (from the government's point of view) and greater autonomy for colleges (from the school's point of view) during recent years. A general conceptual framework is offered for the description of the policy context, quality programs, and case studies. Chapter 3 describes the policy context of initial vocational education at the secondary level within which the quality initiatives of the vocational colleges are taking place. The Danish and the Dutch policy contexts are described separately, followed by a comparison between the countries that highlights similarities and differences in the contexts and programs of quality assurance. Chapter 4 presents 10 case studies describing and discussing the different ways chosen by Dutch or Danish vocational colleges to improve quality. Four case studies emphasize quality activities based on a program of external quality assurance; six place emphasis on fully inhouse quality systems and programs. Chapter 5 provides an evaluation of the implementation of school-based quality concepts in the two countries. Appendixes contain 17 references and background information about the national systems of VET. (YLB)