What is SQAA Framework ?

The School Quality Assessment and Assurance (SQAA) framework, established by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), is an extensive mechanism for schools to achieve and maintain quality education standards. Through a combination of self-assessment and external evaluation, the framework provides structured guidance to enhance educational processes and outcomes. SQAA is especially significant as it aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by India, which emphasize quality education as a critical area for national development.

In a rapidly evolving world, students must be prepared not only with academic knowledge but also with skills that enable them to thrive in diverse social, technological, and economic settings. The SQAA framework is designed to help schools create a balanced learning environment that encourages academic success and personal development, fostering resilience and adaptability among students. This article delves into the framework’s vision, objectives, domain structure, assessment process, and benefits, providing a thorough understanding of SQAA for educators, administrators, and stakeholders alike.

Vision and Mission of SQAA

The vision of SQAA is rooted in establishing a culture of continuous improvement within schools. It strives to provide a comprehensive, standardized approach to assessing and assuring quality, emphasizing the importance of self-evaluation and peer-based assessment. SQAA envisions schools that can adapt to the socio-economic and cultural changes surrounding them, enabling students to grow into well-rounded, globally competent individuals.

SQAA Objectives and Core Principles

The primary objectives of the SQAA framework are to:

• Promote Continuous Improvement
• Enable Data-Driven Decision Making
• Foster Inclusivity and Innovation
• Encourage Accountability and Transparency

The Eight Domains of SQAA and Their Weightage

The SQAA framework is built on eight interconnected domains, each representing a critical aspect of school quality. These domains are carefully weighted to reflect their importance in the holistic assessment of a school’s performance. Here is a detailed exploration of each domain, including its weightage within the SQAA framework:

What is SQAA Process? (Self-Assessment and External Validation)

The SQAA process involves two primary phases that work together to ensure continuous improvement in school quality:

Phase 1: Self-Assessment

This initial phase enables schools to reflect on their current practices and identify areas for improvement. The key steps include:

1. • Core Learning Team Formation: Schools form a Core Learning Team, comprising representatives from management, teachers, parents, students, and community members, to oversee the assessment and ensure diverse perspectives are considered.
   • Data Collection: The team gathers data across the eight SQAA domains, including performance metrics, survey feedback, and other indicators. This data helps schools understand their strengths and identify improvement areas.
   • Score Card Usage: Schools use a scorecard to consolidate findings, rate their performance against each domain, and prioritize improvement initiatives.
   • Self-Improvement Plan Development: The team documents findings in a self-improvement plan, aligning goals with SQAA standards and setting specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound (SMART) targets for each area identified.

 

Phase 2: External Validation

In this phase, an external evaluation by a Peer Assessor Team validates the school’s self-assessment. The process includes:

1. • Peer Assessor Team Evaluation: Experienced educators visit the school to conduct an assessment. This team, serving as mentors rather than inspectors, offers guidance and support for school improvements.
   • Report Submission: Following the assessment, the Peer Assessor Team provides two reports:
     • School Quality Assessment and Assurance Report (SQAAR): A quantitative and qualitative summary of school performance across the eight domains.
     • School Quality Enhancement Report (SQER): Highlights the school’s strengths and provides recommendations for improvement.
   • Continuous Improvement Cycle: Schools are encouraged to update assessment results on the CBSE portal every three years, maintaining a continuous improvement approach. This cycle fosters a collaborative environment where feedback and results drive ongoing development.

Self-Assessment Process in the SQAA Framework

Self-assessment within the SQAA framework helps schools critically evaluate their operations, resources, and outcomes. This structured process is broken down into four key steps: Review, Reflect, Respond, and Rate.

Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Self-Assessment Cycle

Review: Schools evaluate their current practices and gather data.

• Core Learning Team Setup: Establishing the Core Learning Team, composed of diverse stakeholders, to lead the process.
• Data Collection and Documentation: Collecting and documenting data across all domains.
• Understanding SQAA Standards: Familiarizing the team with SQAA criteria and standards.

Reflect: Analyzing data to pinpoint strengths and areas needing improvement.

• Identifying Gaps: Recognizing areas that don’t meet SQAA standards or could be enhanced.
• Prioritizing Improvement Areas: Focusing on the most impactful areas to address.
• Score Card Analysis: Using the scorecard to rate performance in each domain and consolidate findings.

Respond: Creating and executing an action plan to address identified gaps.

• Developing a Self-Improvement Plan: Setting SMART goals to guide improvement.
• Assigning Roles and Responsibilities: Allocating specific roles within the team for accountability.
• Implementing and Monitoring: Enacting the plan and monitoring progress with periodic reviews and adjustments.

Rate: Evaluating the impact of improvement efforts.

• Progress Evaluation: Reviewing outcomes to determine if goals were achieved.
• Final Rating: Using SQAA’s developmental continuum to rate performance in each domain.
• Documentation: Recording results to inform the next cycle and uploading data to the CBSE portal for future reference.

Core Learning Team (SQAA Committee)

The Core Learning Team, or SQAA Committee, drives the self-assessment process. It includes:

• Management Representative: Provides administrative oversight.
• Principal: Aligns the process with the school’s vision.
• Teachers from Each Level: Represents all educational stages.
• Parent Members: Brings parent perspectives and expectations.
• Student Representatives: Ensures student needs are considered.
• Co-curricular Teacher: Evaluates non-academic aspects.
• Counselor, Special Educator, or Health Professional: Supports inclusivity and well-being.
• Administrative Representative: Handles logistical and operational needs.

This diverse team ensures that the self-assessment is thorough, inclusive, and leads to meaningful school-wide improvements.

SQAA Guidance Services, SQAA Advisors & SQAA Audit Agency, SQAA Consultants

Erocon provides comprehensive support to schools working toward the standards set by the School Quality Assessment and Assurance (SQAA) framework. As a consulting partner, Erocon helps schools navigate SQAA requirements, enhance operational excellence, and create impactful learning environments. Here’s how Erocon supports schools in their SQAA journey:

• SQAA Readiness Assessment

Erocon begins with an SQAA readiness assessment to evaluate the school’s current standing in each domain. This assessment identifies strengths, areas for improvement, and readiness for the SQAA process, enabling schools to focus resources strategically.

• Core Learning Team Formation and Training

Erocon assists in forming and training the Core Learning Team, ensuring all members understand the SQAA framework, data collection methods, and the collaborative approach needed for effective assessment. This guidance equips the team to lead self-assessment confidently.

• Data Collection and Analysis Support

Erocon provides tools and guidance for collecting and analyzing data across the eight domains, ensuring alignment with SQAA standards. Erocon’s expertise helps schools identify key strengths and gaps that impact student outcomes and institutional quality.

• Development and Implementation of Improvement Plans

Based on data insights, Erocon collaborates with schools to create targeted self-improvement plans with specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound (SMART) goals. Erocon supports plan implementation, providing resources and strategic guidance.

• Score Card System Setup and Rating Assistance

Erocon helps establish a scorecard system for tracking performance across domains. This structured rating process allows schools to monitor progress and make adjustments as needed, fostering a systematic approach to improvement.

• External Validation Preparation

Erocon prepares schools for external validation by conducting pre-evaluation reviews that simulate the peer assessment process. This preparation allows schools to address last-minute gaps, ensuring they are ready for the official review by Peer Assessors.

• Stakeholder Engagement and Beneficiary Satisfaction Support

Erocon aids schools in gathering and analyzing feedback from students, parents, and staff, improving engagement and alignment with stakeholder expectations. This positively contributes to the Beneficiary Satisfaction domain.

• Ongoing Support for Continuous Improvement

SQAA is an ongoing cycle, and Erocon remains a committed partner beyond initial validation. Erocon provides continued support and training to help schools maintain quality standards, adapt to educational trends, and meet SQAA requirements over time.

Eligibility for SQAA Process

As participation in the School Quality Assessment and Assurance (SQAA) process is mandatory for all CBSE-affiliated schools, each school affiliated with the Board must update its information online across eight key domains once every three years. Schools aspiring for CBSE affiliation can also engage in the process offline to prepare themselves for CBSE recognition.

The SQAA framework supports schools in preparing for external accreditation by organizations such as the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and the Quality Council of India (QCI). It also assists CBSE in upholding quality standards for its affiliated schools and in enhancing the overall standard of education in the country.

This framework empowers schools to self-assess by providing guidelines, tools, and instruments to help them achieve their own set targets and goals.