Self-Evaluation and Internal Review: An Aspect Report on Provision in Scotland's Colleges by HM Inspectors on Behalf of the Scottish Funding Council

This report examines the contribution of self-evaluation to internal review processes in Scotland's colleges. It identifies the range of methodologies used by colleges, what makes these effective and what needs to improve further. It explores in particular, the extent to which self-evaluation has a positive impact on learners' experiences. The report addresses these aims through: (1) evaluating the extent to which self-evaluation has improved over time, including taking into account equality and diversity issues; (2) evaluating the contribution made by external stakeholders and college learners as part of the self-evaluation process; (3) identifying and disseminating examples of excellence or sector-leading and innovative practice; and (4) making recommendations for improvement to current practice. The Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) report, "Effective self-evaluation reporting in Scotland's colleges (2007)," identified a number of positive features. HMIE has provided other analyses of self-evaluation and internal review arrangements in colleges. The most recent was through the HMIE publication, "Improving Scottish Education (2009)." This report identifies the progress that colleges have made, since the publication of these two reports, in improving their approaches to self-evaluation and internal review. Appended are: (1) Colleges visited in the fieldwork for this report; and (2) Glossary of terms. (Contains 7 footnotes.)