The post-2015 education agenda: retaining quality, equity and accountability as indivisible objectives

The international post-2015 consultations provide the immediate reference point for consideration of the post-2015 education agenda in 2013. In this case, this matter should be read as a question of public administration and learner protection, not as a statement that one institutional model is suitable in every jurisdiction.

Risk assessment of the policy position should give particular attention to completion measures detached from learning, support allocated without evidence of need, and attrition detected too late. A provider should also consider financial or geographic barriers and admission without adequate support.

Policy context for the post-2015 education agenda

In the context of post-2015 education agenda, responsibility should be identifiable at the point where consequential decisions are made.

Application to the arrangements depends on evidence from the relevant jurisdiction or institution. For post-2015 education agenda, reporting should preserve the different status of facts, public expectations and choices made by institutions.

• Monitor progression at useful intervals.
• Review policies that create avoidable exclusion, identifying the accountable function and affected scope.
• Analyse barriers across the learner journey.
• Target support transparently.
• Report limitations in available data before it informs a consequential decision.

Controls for post-2015 education agenda

Proportionality in relation to the post-2015 education agenda does not mean reduced protection for learners exposed to greater risk. For implementation, equal treatment does not necessarily produce equitable access or outcomes. For the measure, a policy direction should not be presented as a uniform legal obligation where national implementation differs. Across the defined scope, providers remain responsible for identifying the requirements that apply to their own activities. The record for post-2015 education agenda should identify the reason, approving authority, period of operation and date for reconsideration.

For implementation, the most relevant material is likely to include clearly defined access and completion indicators, evaluation of interventions, learner feedback and complaints, and records of barriers and support. For post-2015 education agenda, confidence is strengthened by corroboration, not by the volume of records drawn from the same underlying source.

In the context of post-2015 education agenda, decisions concerning the measure should remain traceable to the information available for the stated reference period.

Review of post-2015 education agenda

For decisions concerning post-2015 education agenda, the method for the arrangements is to map the complete process, identify the intended result and responsible authority at each stage, and test normal cases together with exceptions.

For post-2015 education agenda, the implementation record for implementation should identify the instrument being applied, its status, the competent authority, the affected jurisdiction and the action expected of each responsible body.

• What action is required by the finding?
• Who controls each stage?
• Which evidence establishes operation?
• Where do exceptions occur?
• What outcome is intended?

Implications for post-2015 education agenda

For the post-2015 education agenda, the public interest is not confined to institutional compliance. Across the defined scope, learners should understand arrangements that materially affect them and have access to timely correction of inaccurate or unfair information, support or decisions.

For post-2015 education agenda, for implementation, governing bodies should receive a concise account of the intended result, affected scope, principal risks, evidence limitations and unresolved exceptions.

When examining post-2015 education agenda, a complete conclusion on the arrangements requires evidence extending beyond an individual measure or safeguard.