Towards a College Improvement Movement

Abstract

In this article I explore some aspects of the apparent ineffectiveness of the post‐compulsory education sector to consistently promote high levels of achievement. I examine a selection of concepts and strategies emanating from the school effectiveness and improvement movement and propose that certain of these are potentially transferable with positive benefits. The self‐improvement, or quality enhancement, trends discernible since incorporation within the the colleges are briefly reviewed. The case is made for the augmentation of these by the importation of key ideas from school‐based studies and innovations, and particular attention is drawn to the sharp contrast between the wealth of these and the dearth of research to date on college effectiveness.