<< Background >>According to the national strategies in all countries of partnership special attention is given to the field of adult education. One of the main goals in this area to establish a system of quality assurance in adult education. Available analyzes of the adult learning situation not only in the project partnership countries show that this segment can not be seen as a coherent system. It is more likely free market environemt based on supply and demand, which is partly regulated (eg retraining). However the sector of informal adult education can be defined as a public interest and there is a consensus that it is one of the important tools for the realization of social development goals, including the readiness of our society for a competitive economy. Neverhteless in reality the adult learning providers are still are facing other reality. The absence of rating tools for quality measurements has an impact on the tender contracting authorities are defining various sub-criteria that do not guarantee the quality of implementation of the educational process. This project reflects also an opportunity to use the new indicators in the drafting of a new Lifelong learning Act, but also when setting educational quality criteria for the institutions of formal and non-formal education.An important precondition for the quality and effectiveness of adult learning are effective strategies for informing adults about learning opportunities for their development. It is important to create mechanisms for monitoring the effectiveness and quality of education. Potential applicants for education should have information not only about their own educational offer, but also about the quality of providers of this education. The development and use of the new model of rating and/or Quality Assurance seems to be the first step in improving the relevance and efficacy of VET provision with regard to labour market relevant qualification and companies needs.<< Objectives >>The proposed new quality rating system will comprehensively validate criteria of an educational institution and consequently allow:a)develop the quality elements of the educational institutionb)promote the educational institution itself on the basis of a quality labelc)to give an clear information to customers about price and quality ratio.<< Implementation >>All project activities will be prepared, managed and implemented on predetermined success criteria in order to achieve the main project goal. During the realization following activities will take place:Activity 1 - COMMON QUALITY RATING MODEL SETUPThis activity will aim to create a common quality rating model for adult learning institutions.It will include expert calls with local stackholders in each country with perception of adult education quality and possibility of nationwide application of quality rules. Discussions on setting individual rating levels and their criteria and evaluation procedures will be held. At the same time, the outputs that have already arisen in the Czech Republic will be used. The result, summarised in IO 1 will cover Specification of theQuality rating model for ALI, describing the overall philosophy of rating, individual quality levels, criteria for assigning educational institutions to these levels, and procedures for this rating, including country-specific adaptation. It is assumed that the main areas of evaluation will be learning background, the process of education and the measurement of its effectiveness, material and technical background, customer approach (should there be this division into circuits?). After piloting, the model will be modiActivity 2 - METHODOLOGIES and RELATED DOCUMENTSIn this activity methodologies will be developed (see also IO2 section):a)methodology of self-evaluation of educational institutions with a related self-evaluation questionnaire based on it,b)ALI evaluation methodology for external assesorsc)the methodology of preparation of educational institutions for rating.The development of the methodologies lead to the project objectives to ensure standardised and tranparent approachActivity 3 - PILOT PREPARATIONThe aim of this activity is to prepare and involve the main project actors - adult learning intitutions (ALI) and assesors.First, piloting assessors will be selected in each country, according to the requirements set out in the evaluation methodology by external evaluators. They will be provided with training on assessment rules and procedures, in full-time form, as the e-learning form is still to be developed. At the same time, a sample of 15 pilot adult learning institutions will be selected in each country. This selection will be made to include different types of adult education institutions, in particular taking into account the different size and breadth of their focus. these will be provided with training, also in full-time form, as the e-learning form is still to be created. Other pilots and other educational institutions will be approached and, if interested, included in the evaluation mechanism after piloting, modifying methodologies and creating e-learning. they will receive consultative support. Activity 4 - PILOT ROLLOUTThis activity consists of the new rating model implementation and evaluation of results achieved. Following Activity 3, selected educational institutions will carry out self-evaluation by means of an self-evaluation questionnaire to be categorised in the appropriate quality level. They will then be visited by the external assessor, trained within the previous project activity by Assesor from the project team. Each partner will provide a training to 3-5 external assessors. Who will review the self- evaluation provided by the ALI according to the methodology and make correction and updates. Workshops with the assessors will be held to obtain their findings. Also feedback from the evaluated educational institutions will be obtained.Activity 5 - On-line toolsThe on-line tools will be created and published in this activity. The aim is to provide an IO in a form of e-learning modules for assessors and for educational institutions as well as the on-line platform for adult education institutions (with the user ogin), intended also to other target groups - customers, public authorities etc.<< Results >>The main results of the project are:1.Common open standardised on-line quality rating system for Adult Learning Institutions (ALI)2.On-line Adult learning institutions quality rating platform with e-courses related to the Assessors methodology and ALI-self evaluation3.Methodologies to be applied4.Recommendations for national quality assessment policies for adult education institutionsAcitivity 1 - As an outcome of the this project activity an inelectual output IO1 consisting of 2 parts will be produced:a)On-line quality rating modelb)Recommendations for the national authorities on steps and actions towards an successfull implementation of common quality rating system in adult learning environementActivity 2 - Activity 2 - METHODOLOGIES and RELATED DOCUMENTSIn this activity methodologies will be developed (detailed specifications see also IO2 section)Activity 3 - PILOT PREPARATIONAs an outcome of the this project activity an inelectual output IO3 will be provided : Training mateials full-time and e-courses setup and implementation, furthermore 2 partial outputs will be delivered: List of Adult learning institutions adressed and finally involved - 10 per partner country, List of Assessors involvedActivity 4 - PILOT ROLLOUTBased on this as the IO 4 an Report of the a quality rating system pilot will be provided. Furthermore update on methodologies and training materials will be developed. Activity 5 - On-line toolsThe aim is to provide an IO in a form of e-learning modules for assessors and for educational institutions as well as the on-line platform for adult education institutions (with the user ogin), intended also to other target groups - customers, public authorities etc.