Glossary

Introduction

In connection with the introduction of independent accreditation of educational programs and organizations in the Kyrgyz Republic, it is necessary to have a common understanding and interpretation of terms and concepts related to independent accreditation.

This becomes important in view of the fact that in the process of independent accreditation involved a large number of participants: schools, students, parents, employers, and other representatives of the sector, government and civil society. Most of them are unfamiliar with the accreditation process, so the dictionary will help provide the necessary knowledge for independent accreditation.

The dictionary will also be useful for accreditation Agency staff and accreditation experts, as they, for the most part, do not have enough experience due to the fact that accreditation in Kyrgyzstan is a new business. The dictionary will allow them to deepen their knowledge of independent accreditation and professional competence necessary for the successful implementation of the procedure of independent accreditation of professional education programs and organizations.

 The dictionary will help representatives of educational institutions better prepare for the conducting and writing of a self-assessment report.  The practice of the first accreditation of 22 professional educational institutions has shown that not quite correct understanding of the terms of accreditation leads to a poor report on the self-assessment of the educational program or institution.

A self-assessment report, together with the final external report are the main documents on which independent accreditation is based.

Interviews with students, their parents, teachers, employers and other social partners of educational institutions are important for independent accreditation. The dictionary can help them to better understand their role and contribute to the effectiveness of interviews. Thus, the opinions, judgments, comments and suggestions of respondents are evidence of the implementation of accreditation standards and criteria and the basis for the development by the expert Commission recommendations to improve the quality of the educational program or the effectiveness of the institution.        

 Academic reputation - the level of quality of education offered by EO in the public consciousness and the professional community.  High academic reputation in EO (EP) is created by successful graduates of EO (EP), awards, high places in ratings and etc.

Academic freedom is the right to choose and use by teachers and masters the best, in their opinion, pedagogical forms, methods and technologies to improve the quality of education.

Accreditation agencies are organizations that carry out accreditation of educational organizations and are created in the form of non-governmental, non-profit organizations. Financing of activities of accreditation agencies is carried out mainly through accreditation fees charged from educational institutions and other sources not prohibited by the legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Accreditation standards are the minimum requirements that educational institutions or programs must meet.

Accreditation criteria – are elements of accreditation standards that educational institutions or programs must meet.

Accreditation is a procedure of assessment by the accreditation Agency of the level of quality of the educational organization as a whole or its separate educational programs, during of which the conformity of the educational organization or educational program with certain criteria and standards is proved.

Institutional Accreditation - is a procedure of assessment by the accreditation Agency of the level of quality of the educational organization as a whole, during of which the conformity of the educational organization or educational program with certain criteria and standards is proved.

Program Accreditation (Specialized) - is a procedure of assessment by the accreditation Agency of the level of quality of the educational organization as a whole or its separate educational programs, during of which the conformity of the educational organization or educational program with certain criteria and standards is proved.

External assessment of education quality - procedure for assessing the quality of education offered by educational organization (EO), external specialized organization. External assessment of education quality in Kyrgyzstan, as well as throughout the world, is carried out in the form of accreditation by independent accreditation agencies in accordance with the legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Documented management system of education quality - a system that allows you to document all the plans, processes, actions and results relating to the implementation of policies of ensuring the quality of education in an educational organization.

Interested parties (stakeholders) - all interested in the high education quality of EO(EP) graduates which are State, local governments, students, their parents, EO (EP), employers and other social partners.

Minimum requirements (standards) to accredited educational institutions of primary and secondary professional education of the Kyrgyz Republic are the accreditation standards and that EO, EP, PPE and SPE must meet.

Minimum requirements (standards) to accredited educational institutions of primary and secondary professional education of the Kyrgyz Republic are the accreditation standards and that EO and EP, HPE must meet.

Mission of the educational organization is a set of key strategic goals arising from an objective assessment of its own potential.

National Accreditation Board-is created at the authorized state body in the field of education of the Kyrgyz Republic and under the chairmanship of its head, functioning on a voluntary basis, which is an Advisory body established for collective and public consideration of the recognition of the activities of accreditation agencies. 

Educational goals - goals to achieve by Education Program (OP) in order to generate at its graduates professional competences are sufficient for successful activity in the relevant specialty (profession). Educational goals are achieved not at the time of the release of students as education results, and in a few years later, when the graduate gained experience and developed as a specialist.

Quality assurance policy - a set of  documents and planned periodic procedures (actions)  approved by  researchers the implementation of which leads to improving the quality of education. Quality assurance policy includes, at least, a mission, strategic and current plans, education objectives, educational results, quality management systems.

Regulation of the National Accreditation Board (NAB) with the authorized state body in the field of education - a document approved by the Act of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic regulating the procedure for the establishment and activities of the National Accreditation Board.

Regulations on the procedure of recognition of Accreditation agencies in the field of education - a document approved by the Act of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic providing for the recognition of accreditation agencies. Recognized Accreditation agencies have the right to carry out the accreditation procedure. This is the main document for the NAB operations.

 Regulations on the procedure of accreditation of educational institutions and programs - a document approved by the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, regulating the procedure of accreditation. This is the main document for the activities of accreditation agencies.

The order of the accreditation procedure , the minimum requirements for the accredited organization, and the reason for accreditation or non accreditation are established by the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic

Recognition of accreditation agencies is carried out by the National Accreditation Board. The grounds and procedure for the recognition or denial of recognition is determined by the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic

Academic performance - confirmation from any form of control (examination, test, course work, etc.) of the successful development of a working unit of the curriculum (subject, object, practice, etc.).  Education results work towards an educational goal. The results of education are achieved at the release of students. 

Referent - accreditation agency employee trained in the methodology of the accreditation standards and criteria for accreditation, their use, the organization of interaction of members of the expert committee, the control over the observance of the rules of accreditation, the objectivity of the accreditation, the creation of a business-friendly atmosphere throughout the accreditation process.

Accreditation Expert - a person who has passed special training on the methodology of the examination, the implementation of standards and accreditation criteria, writing reports, interviews, etc., ready to qualitatively carry out an external evaluation of the educational organization or program.