Navigating an NZQA External Evaluation and Review (EER) can be a complex process, with common pitfalls that can impact your outcome if left unaddressed. To help you stay ahead, we've compiled a list of key areas where PTEs often face challenges, along with practical steps to avoid them. Use this as a checklist to ensure your organisation is fully prepared and confident when it's time for your next review.
1. Failing to Report Credits in a Timely Manner
Pitfall: Not adhering to the requirement to report credits within 90 days of being achieved.
How to Avoid: Regularly audit your systems to ensure timely credit reporting, and if there were past issues, document your audit process and actions taken to remedy the situation.
2. Lack of Clear Subcontracting Responsibilities
Pitfall: Failing to establish clear responsibilities in subcontracting arrangements, such as for pastoral care, moderation, and credit reporting.
How to Avoid: Ensure that roles and responsibilities are clearly outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to avoid misunderstandings that could affect your EER rating.
3. Not Demonstrating Adequate Staff Workload Management
Pitfall: NZQA concerns about staff workload, especially if there is no clear mechanism to show how workloads are managed.
How to Avoid: Show NZQA that you have mechanisms in place to manage workloads, including staff well-being and balance, and document the steps you've taken to address any concerns.
4. Tracking Upskilling of Staff
Pitfall: While PTEs often ensure their staff have the necessary subject expertise and have the evidence in place, NZQA also wants assurances that staff possess other competencies needed for their role as well. These would be in relation to knowledge of different cultures relevant to your student body, teaching effectiveness, classroom management skills, first aid, etc.
How to Avoid: Ensure you maintain records of formal, external training as well as evidence of informal or internal professional development — such as workshops, mentoring, or a buddy system — is also documented and accessible for review.
5. Outdated or Incomplete Website Information
Pitfall: Not having up-to-date information on your website, including your current EER category rating.
How to Avoid: Ensure your website reflects the most recent EER category rating and that all information is current and accurate.
Use Dacreed to track staff CPD, formal training records, and policy attestations in one place — so when EER day comes, the evidence is already organised and ready to share.
Document prepared by Marjolein Wesseling, Compliance Consultant with Dacreed and QED Associates.
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