“The Polish Qualifications Framework and its level descriptors”. Ewa Chmielecka, Warsaw School of Economics, Educational Research Institute, Bologna Expert, Seminar: Úvod do problematiky národných kvalifikačných rámcov. Bratislava, 21 September 2013

Contents Intention: to present the Polish QF for HE case as an example of good (?) practice answering the question of level descriptors Structure of the Polish QF Level desciptors Example: how to implement QF? case of the PL higher education

The scope and structure of the Polish QF (PQF) 8 levels. Three categories of level descriptors: knowledge, skills, social competences. In the PQF: 2 categories of level descriptors by their degree of detail universal (first layer/stage) typical for different types of education (second layer/stage). Possible third layer/stage of generic descriptors (in sectors, inside HE…) Covers all types qualifications Full qualifications Partial qualifications

Structure of the Polish Qualifications Framework

Key aspects of the comprehensive description of LO Knowledge Scope Completeness of the cognitive perspective Depth of understanding Dependencies Skills Problem solving and applying knowledge in practice Complexity of the problem Innovation in the approach Independence of actions Conditions under which one acts Learning Independence Methods Communication Scope of expression Complexity of expression Social competence Identity Participation Sense of responsibility Conduct Cooperation Team work Leadership Responsibility Consequences of one’s own actions Consequences of the team’s actions Evaluation

Structure of the Polish National Qualification Framework (PQF) EQF levels PQF levels 1 General elementary education 2 General post-elementary education 3 Lower vocational education 4 General secondary education 5 „empty level” – debate on the full qualification of the level continued 6 Higher education: BA, engineer 7 Higher education: MA, post diploma non-degree programs 8 Higher education: PhD

3 or 4 depending on the qualification Qualifications awarded in the Polish education system below higher education (children and youth) elementary school certificate of completing elementary school 1 lower secondary school certificate of completing lower secondary school 2 basic vocational school certificate of completing basic vocational school not yet determined vocational certificate 3 vocational diploma upper secondary technical school certificate of completing the upper secondary technical school 3 or 4 depending on the qualification 4 matura certificate general upper secondary school certificate of completing general upper secondary school

Qualifications awarded in the Polish higher education system Type of studies: Name of qualification ECTS credits Planned qualification level in the PQF first cycle studies (Bologna first cycle) diploma certifying the professional title of licencjat /inzynier or equivalent title at least 180 6 second cycle studies (Bologna second cycle) or long cycle studies of magister /magister inżynier or equivalent title (e.g. physician) second cycle studies – at least 90 long cycle master degree studies: at least 300 (5 year studies), 360 (six year studies) 7 third cycle studies (Bologna third cycle) diploma certifying the academic degree of doktor in a specific discipline 45-60 8 additionally: postgraduate non- degree studies certificates of completion of postgraduate non-degree studies at least 60; (the studies should not be less than two semesters) depending on the programme

Assigning levels to qualifications Based on comparison of learning outcomes with level descriptors Levelling methodology developed in 2012/2013 with participation of stakeholders Pilot project – testing the methodology (preliminary assignement of 350 qualifications) Two procedures for determining the PQF level for qualifications : For qualifications established by ministers For the remaining qualifications

Learning outcomes in the PQF (PQF/EQF referencing criterion 3 on LO) All qualifications in the PQF (in the Q-register) have to be described in the terms of learning outcomes (knowledge, skills, social competences). In the GE and formal VET learning outcomes principle are included in core curricula, implemented by law. In GE and VET learning outcomes define also examination standards In HE learning outcomes and their validation must be described for the study programmes of specific fields in the eight broad areas of study This is under control of QA systems In non-formal sector application of LO not very common

Referencing PQF levels to EQF Confirmations of congruence provided by:  comparison of basic concepts, the language, and assumptions in the PQF and EQF, comparison of the descriptors at corresponding levels in both frameworks.

Expectations concerning the PL QF– learning outcomes orientation General transparency, comparability, Quality assurance enhancement building mutual trust (national and international aspect) openness for stakeholders better fit for labor market needs LLL driver ….

Increased autonomy of HEIs Expectations [2] concerning the PL QF for HE – learning outcomes orientation Increased autonomy of HEIs Diversification of HEIs Variety of programs, methods .. But Comparability of programs by common points of reference Not content based Assigning qualifications (diplomas) to levels Protecting quality 13

The two-layer structure of the description of learning outcomes in the NQF-HE

The hierarchy of learning outcomes (HE)

8 broad areas of study in HE Based on the descriptors of PQF typical for higher education the descriptors for eight broad areas of study and two profiles have been developed on the national level (first and second cycle of HE) Humanities Social sciences Exact sciences Life sciences Engineering and technology Medical sciences and health sciences Agriculture, forestry and veterinary sciences Fine arts

The structure of the QF HE, examples of descriptors – knowledge/skills: „solving problems” – level 6 Level of descriptors of universal PQF Rozwiązywanie złożonych i nietypowych problemów w zmiennych i nie w pełni przewidywalnych kontekstach Level of descriptors specific for HE Identyfikowanie i twórcze rozwiązywanie prostych problemów oraz typowych zadań, wyciągania logicznych wniosków oraz autonomicznego formułowania ocen i opinii z w zakresie niezbędnym do ich rozwiązania. Znajomość podstawowych metod i technik właściwych dla obszaru kształcenia w stopniu umożliwiającym ich wykorzystanie do rozwiązywania podstawowych problemów i wykonywania prostych zadań. level of descriptors for “8 fields” (here: engineering) zna podstawowe metody, techniki, narzędzia i materiały stosowane przy rozwiązywaniu prostych zadań inżynierskich związanych z reprezentowaną dyscypliną, potrafi wykorzystać do formułowania i rozwiązywania zadań inżynierskich metody analityczne, symulacyjne i eksperymentalne potrafi – przy formułowaniu i rozwiązywaniu zadań inżynierskich – dostrzegać ich aspekty systemowe i pozatechniczne potrafi ocenić przydatność rutynowych metod i narzędzi rozwiązania prostego zadania inżynierskiego, typowego dla reprezentowanej dyscypliny inżynierskiej oraz wybrać i zastosować właściwą metodę i narzędzia Level of descriptors for benchmark (electronics) potrafi wykorzystać poznane metody i modele matematyczne, a także symulacje komputerowe do analizy i oceny działania elementów elektronicznych oraz analogowych i cyfrowych układów elektronicznych potrafi dokonać analizy sygnałów i prostych systemów przetwarzania sygnałów w dziedzinie czasu i częstotliwości, stosując techniki analogowe i cyfrowe oraz odpowiednie narzędzia sprzętowe i programowe …

The PL QF HE implementation [1] Context 1: expected reluctance of the academic community Context 2: enlarging autonomy in curricula design Context 3: expected difficulties with “learning outcomes” approach Training: More than 250 seminars, workshops, conferences provided in 2008-2012 (and still continued) by Ministry of Science &HE Bologna Experts Team Projects of the Human Capital Development Program „converted seminars” „millionaires” competition QF Advisors In total - about 18 000 of academic workers participated in the training „cascade” training system at HEIs.

The PL QF HE implementation [2] Websites: the ministry of HE, the Bologna Experts, Institute of Educational Research publications : 3 PL books, many other issues Translations: like German “Yes, go!” Strong support given by the rectors conferences and other HE bodies Exceptional financial support on base of the European funds

The PL QF HE implementation: first results Implementation of LO approach (end of the 2012/13 academic year): expectation concerning the academic community resistance – confirmed but the most of results quite promising New curricula and syllabi prepared and well established in all HEI for level 6 and 7, corrected this year with much better understanding. Post-diploma and PhD studies curricula under reconstruction New degree programs – opportunities taken from enlarged autonomy – breathtaking! Much better understanding the PQF significance, profits, other aspects: „I have in hand all necessary tools for individualization of studying I am implementing now”.

Thank you for your attention!