Proposals for a revised approach to assessing and rating quality

Consultation questions

Question 1: Do you agree, partly agree or disagree with the proposed approach to a single quality assessment system where all providers are assessed through a common approach and may choose to apply for TEF ratings?

Question 2: Do you agree, partly agree or disagree with the proposals for selecting annual cohorts of providers for assessment, including:

2.a. the additional factors we would take into account

2.b. the proposed arrangements for subsequent assessments?

Question 3: Do you agree, partly agree or disagree with the proposed approach, including:

3.a. to an initial risk assessment

3.b. to determining the level of scrutiny?

Question 4: Do you agree, partly agree or disagree with the proposed approach to data being sufficient to apply for TEF ratings, including the:

4.a. definitions of sufficient data for assessment of each aspect

4.b. approach to increasing the availability of data

4.c. treatment of providers without sufficient data to support a TEF rating?

Question 5: Do you agree, partly agree or disagree with the proposed process and timeline for providers to take part, including:

5.a. the requirements for providers applying for TEF ratings

5.b. the timeline for submissions and arrangements for deadline extensions?

Question 6: Do you agree, partly agree or disagree with the proposed approach, including:

6.a. the treatment of subcontracted and validated-only provision

6.b. the phased approach to assessing modular provision?

Question 7: Do you agree, partly agree or disagree with the proposals, including:

7.a. the definitions of the ratings and outcomes

7.b. the criteria for assessing the student experience aspect?

Question 8: Do you agree, partly agree or disagree with the proposals for the student experience indicators including:

8.a. the structure of the National Student Survey (NSS) indicators

8.b. changes to the benchmarking factors

8.c. how performance would be indicated?

Question 9: Do you agree, partly agree or disagree with the proposed approach to provider submissions for student experience, including:

9.a. the content of submissions

9.b. the scope of submissions

9.c. the structure and page limit?

Question 10: Do you agree, partly agree or disagree with the proposed approach to student submissions, including:

10.a. the scope, content and format

10.b. the submission process

10.c. the support providers would be required to offer?

Question 11: Do you agree, partly agree or disagree with the proposed approach to enhanced assessments of the student experience, including:

11.a. the purpose of enhanced assessments

11.b. the timing, focus and method of evidence gathering

11.c. the arrangements for subcontractual partnerships?

Question 12: Do you agree, partly agree or disagree with the proposed revisions to minimum requirements for student outcomes, including:

12.a. the new requirement for positive post-study outcomes

12.b. the new requirement for modular completion outcomes

12.c. proposed changes to minimum numerical thresholds for continuation and completion

12.d. changes to Regulatory advice 20?

Question 13: Do you agree, partly agree or disagree with the proposal, including:

13.a. the definitions of the ratings and outcomes

13.b. the criteria for continuation and completion

13.c. the criterion for post-study outcomes?

Question 14: Do you agree, partly agree or disagree with the proposals for the student outcomes indicators, including:

14.a. the definition and benchmarking of the additional post-study indicators

14.b. the structure of the indicators

14.c. how performance would be indicated?

Question 15: Do you agree, partly agree or disagree with our proposed approach to provider submissions for the student outcomes aspect, including:

15.a. identifying indicators of concern

15.b. how we have defined relevant contextual evidence

15.c. the standards of evidence

15.d. scope and page limits for submissions?

Question 16: Do you agree, partly agree or disagree with the proposed approach, including:

16.a. assessment teams

16.b. the decision-making panel

16.c. representations on outcomes?

Question 17: Do you agree, partly agree or disagree with the proposed approach to assessment, including:

17.a. interpreting and weighting evidence

17.b. reaching criterion judgements

17.c. determining aspect ratings

17.d. considering consistency?

Question 18: Do you agree, partly agree or disagree with the proposed approach to outcomes and enhancement, including:

18.a. publication of minimum requirement outcomes

18.b. publication of outcomes for TEF

18.c. the requirements on providers to publish their outcomes

18.d. the content and publication of assessment reports

18.e. the approach to sample-based visits and quality enhancement?

Question 19: Do you agree, partly agree or disagree with the proposed approach to student recruitment limits, including:

19.a. recruitment reductions for providers with an Unsatisfactory or Requires improvement outcome

19.b. from the second cycle, limiting recruitment (not allowing any increase in student numbers) for providers with Bronze or Satisfactory outcomes

19.c. implementing recruitment limits for providers with Bronze ratings on an automatic basis?

Question 20: Do you agree, partly agree or disagree with the proposed approach to eligibility for DAPs, including:

20.a. for registered providers to apply for or extend DAPs

20.b. for new providers seeking DAPs and registration simultaneously

20.c. for providers with existing DAPs powers?

Question 21: Do you agree, partly agree or disagree with the proposed approach, including:

21.a. the impact of quality investigations on TEF ratings or minimum requirements outcomes

21.b. the approach to consecutive Requires improvement ratings or Unsatisfactory outcomes

21.c. other circumstances in which assessment outcomes may change?

Question 22: Do you have any further comments you would like to make in relation to the proposals contained in this consultation document, annexes or draft guidance?

Relating to the draft guidance for providers and assessors:

Question 23: Do you agree, partly agree or disagree that the main draft guidance document is useful and clear in explaining the quality assessment process and requirements?

Relating to the draft guidance for student submissions:

Question 24: Do you agree, partly agree or disagree that the draft guidance document on the student submission is useful and clear in explaining the student submission process and requirements?

Relating to revised condition B6:

Question 25: Do you agree, partly agree or disagree that the proposed changes to condition B6 appropriately reflect the requirements proposed through this consultation?