The following information is available about the framework, and the links between:

• Investment Plan
• Performance consequences
• Process
• Evaluations and review
• Interventions framework  

Investment Plans

The Investment Plan environment is based on the expectation that TEOs notify us of any performance issues as soon as they become aware of them. We, in turn, reflect this openness and transparency in our relationships with TEOs.

We monitor TEOs’ performance and use this information to address under-performance during the Investment Plan (Plan) period and also to inform future funding decisions, taking both good and poor performance into account.

The framework sets out both the process, and the actions we may take, in response to TEO performance for funding received under section 425 of the Education and Training Act 2020.

Key performance areas we monitor include:

• delivery volume against an agreed fund allocation
• delivery against an agreed mix of provision
• deliverables related to each fund
• compliance with legislation and regulatory frameworks
• meeting conditions set out in the relevant funding mechanisms, or any specific funding conditions set by TEC at the time funding approval is given
• delivery against performance commitments agreed in the Plan, including any minimum achievement levels.

Performance consequences

For performance that is exceeding expectations, we may:

• engage with the TEO less frequently due to a high trust relationship
• soften monitoring requirements
• give preference to approaching the TEO when discretionary funding opportunities arise.

For performance that is not meeting expectations, we may:

• increase the frequency and intensity of engagement
• recover funding
• amend conditions on funding
• impose new conditions on funding on subsequent Plan funding approval
• require a TEO to review its Plan with a view to amending or replacing it
• make a significant amendment to the Plan under Schedule 18, clause 22 of the Education and Training Act 2020
• suspend funding
• revoke funding
• consider past performance in future funding allocations (including any discretionary funding for which a TEO may apply).

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Process

The following points describe the high-level process we will follow when we apply the framework to TEO under-performance:

• we become aware of under-performance
• we contact the TEO to discuss the under-performance
• the TEO has the opportunity to respond, which may include the provision of further information or evidence
• we consider any additional information or evidence
• we make a decision regarding the most appropriate performance consequence(s) to be applied. The affected TEO will be given an opportunity to respond to the decision before it is finalised.

Note: this process does not apply for performance-linked funding as this is a formulaic calculation based on past performance.   

Evaluations and review

External Evaluation and Review (EER) is an NZQA process which creates judgements about performance and capability for all TEOs, excluding universities. Judgements are expressed as statements of confidence in Educational Performance and Capability in Self Assessment.

Statements of confidence are reported at one of the following four levels:

• Highly Confident
• Confident
• Not Yet Confident
• Not Confident

The EER provider category status informs how we apply performance consequences. Category 4 status indicates a level of “Not Confident” in either Educational Performance or Capability in Self-Assessment. We will apply performance consequences to any TEOs that retain Category 4 status over the course of two consecutive EERs. Potential consequences include suspension of funding and/or revocation of funding approval.  

Interventions framework

The interventions framework for TEIs may also trigger use of the performance consequences framework. It is possible for the performance consequences framework to trigger use of the interventions framework. Both may be used concurrently.

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