INSTITUTIONAL AUDIT AS A KEY INSTRUMENT FOR ENSURING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION

Abstract

The article highlights the problem of implementing an effective model of quality assurance in general secondary education institutions, based on a combination of mechanisms for external evaluation of the activities of an educational institution and procedures for self-assessment of the results of its functioning. The emphasis is placed on the need to conduct an institutional audit of general secondary education institutions as a necessary component of the system of external evaluation of educational and management processes of an educational institution and the internal system of quality assurance for education, as well as verification of compliance by an educational institution with the requirements of legislation in the field of education. The legislative interpretation of the quality of education and the components of the quality assurance system, as well as institutional audit as one of the components of external verification and assessment of the quality of general secondary education, which results in the effective functioning and sustainable development of an educational institution, is considered. The article reveals the essence of institutional audit and defines the procedure for its conduct in general secondary education institutions. It is noted that the institutional audit is carried out by the Ukrainian State Education Quality Service and its territorial bodies within their powers, in accordance with specially developed procedures according to a clearly defined list of areas, requirements, criteria and evaluation indicators. The main directions of institutional audit in general secondary education institutions are considered. The priorities of building a modern institutional audit on the basis of innovation, transparency, openness, high quality, independence, and partnership with other educational institutions are emphasized, which is a prerequisite for ensuring the quality of educational services in general secondary education institutions and a guarantee of effective development of the educational sector in Ukraine.