Quality in education and training / La qualité dans l'enseignement et la formation

The rising demand for education and training has led to a great expansion in the provision of education services. But this expansion raises concerns about quality. Do we understand what knowledge or skills a training programme offers? How can we judge whether a course of study is effective? Do we share a common language on these issues, and are we sure we correctly understand the terms employed? For the EU-27, with its current 501 million citizens and single labour market, such questions are hardly academic: common understanding leads to common trust.
Cedefop’s new glossary of terms on quality in education and training is meant to promote communication and understanding between countries. It is intended for all stakeholders in education and VET, researchers; experts; those involved in improving learning curricula; and education and training providers. While it does not represent an exhaustive inventory of the terminology used by specialists, the glossary – an updated and extended version of Quality in training / La qualite dans la formation published by Cedefop in 2003, takes into account recent EU policy developments, including the creation of the European qualifications framework for lifelong learning (EQF) and the development of a European credit system for vocational education and training (ECVET).
Accreditation of an education or training provider
Process of quality assurance through which accredited status is granted to an education or training provider, showing it has been approved by the relevant legislative or professional authorities by having met predetermined standards. Source: Cedefop, 2008c, based on Canadian.
FR Agrément dʼun prestataire dʼenseignement ou de formation
Procédure de contrôle qualité visant à la reconnaissance et approbation officielles dʼun prestataire dʼenseignement ou de formation par lʼautorité législative ou professionnelle compétente après vérification de la conformité vis-à-vis de certaines normes prédéfinies. Source: Cedefop, 2008c, adapté de Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials, 2003.
Validation of learning outcomes
Confirmation by a competent body that learning outcomes (knowledge, skills and/or competences) acquired by an individual in a formal, non-formal or informal setting have been assessed against predefined criteria and are compliant with the requirements of a validation standard. Validation typically leads to certification. Source: Cedefop, 2008c.
FR validation des résultats dʼapprentissage
La confirmation par une autorité compétente que les résultats/acquis dʼapprentissage (savoirs, aptitudes et/ou compétences) acquis par un individu dans un contexte formel, non formel ou informel, ont été évalués selon des critères prédéfinis et sont conformes aux exigences dʼune norme (ou référentiel) de validation. La validation aboutit habituellement à la certification. Source: Cedefop, 2008c.