ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author examines the Higher and Further Education Colleges, in relation to their impact on the accountability for performance within the sector, their ability to promote quality improvement and their current or possible use in schools. The further education inspection process recognises the importance of institutions developing their own quality assurance practices. A variety of models for self-assessment have been produced, and a number of local education authorities have provided considerable training for staff in carrying out audit and evaluation within the schools. The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) relies on universities releasing academic staff to act as assessors in their subject areas. Indeed the system is best described as peer review of the self-assessment. Practices in both the further and higher education sectors indicate that while self-assessment on its own cannot provide a valid measure for accountability, it is an extremely important factor in quality improvement.
