Development of performance measurement instruments in higher education: discussion paper

In the 2011-12 Budget, the Australian government released details of its Advancing Quality in Higher Education (AQHE) initiative designed to assure and strengthen the quality of teaching and learning in higher education. Three discussion papers were released on the proposed performance measurement instruments for student experience and quality of learning outcomes, and submissions from stakeholders were invited. This paper discusses key issues in the design of the performance measurement instruments, assesses their fitness for purpose and their ability to operate together in a coherent way to obtain a comprehensive view of the student’s undergraduate university experience and learning outcomes. The paper considers some principles to guide the development of new performance measurement instruments and proposes that a framework of the student life cycle be used to situate the development of new performance measurement instruments. It briefly discusses existing survey instruments and the development of new performance measurement instruments for use in performance reporting and for other purposes. Key issues that impact on the coherence and balance of performance measures are considered. The paper concludes by proposing an implementation strategy for the new performance measures.

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