Responsible bodies

The National Agency for Quality Assurance in Pre-University Education and the National Agency for Pre-University Education are the bodies responsible for quality assurance in early childhood and school education. Moreover based on respective legal framework other responsible bodies for quality assurance include National Agency of Pre-University Education and local education directorates and offices for pre-university education. 

In regard to Basic and Upper Secondary education forms the Agency for Quality Assurance in Pre-University Education and the National Agency for Pre-University Education are the main structures regarding quality assurance. 

ASCAP (National Agency for Quality Assurance in Pre-university Education) is the institution responsible for drafting and following up on the implementation of policies towards the evaluation of quality assurance in pre-university education and guaranteeing the implementation of these policies towards the continuous improvement of quality in education.  

Approaches and methods for quality assurance

As the responsible institution, ASCAP has detailed the Quality Assessment Framework (QAF). This document is based on Law 69/12 as amended and the Principles of the Curricular Framework for Pre-university Education. The QAF serves to assess the extent to which all student interests have been met and the expected learning outcomes have been achieved, in order to guarantee a quality educational service in pre-university education. 

The QAF serves evaluators, school leaders, teachers and various education stakeholders. This document includes: 

- Evaluation criteria 

- Evaluation indicators 

- Evaluation scales and

 - Re-evaluation trend.

The school quality evaluation system includes external evaluation and internal evaluation, which serves as a guiding tool for the continuous improvement of school quality. 

External school evaluation has the following functions: 

- evaluative 

- advisory 

- controlling and 

- informative 

The quality areas on which the evaluation is based are 

- Leadership and management 

- Student well-being and behavior 

- Quality of teaching and learning 

- Student assessment and achievements 

Each area includes 6 criteria and in total there are 24 criteria that are evaluated and must be met. They are related to inclusiveness, integration, continuity, collaboration and partnership, autonomy and flexibility at the school level, and accountability. Indicators are quantitative and qualitative and are used to assess quality at several levels. The assessment scale is a method used to judge with expressions or numbers an aspect, object or attribute of the activity of an educational institution. The assessment levels according to the numerical scale are 4, respectively 1,2,3, and 4. Level 1 corresponds to the lowest level, while level 4 corresponds to the highest level of assessment.

In regard to pre-school education the Agency for Quality Assurance in Pre University Education has drafted the "Teachers assessment standards" for teachers evaluation  and the "Development learning Standards" for pupil evaluation.

The Quality Assurance Agency for Pre-university Education has approved in 2020 the "School Evaluation Package" which contains: School Quality Evaluation Framework Internal and External School Evaluation Internal School Evaluation Methodology External School Evaluation Methodology

The "External and Internal School Evaluation" Guide enables the implementation of external evaluation, internal evaluation, the connection between them, as well as the improvement of the organization and functioning of the school. 

https://www.ascap.edu.al/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/7-Mars-2020-Udhezuesi-i-vleresimit-te-jashtem-dhe-te-brendshem-1-1-1.pdf