A Comparative Study on Higher Education Evaluation System in UK, USA and Taiwan (ROC)

[[abstract]]This study adopt analysis and comparative research method developed by G. Z. F. Bereday. The aim is to compare the higher education evaluation system in UK, USA and Taiwan (ROC). The purposes of this study are listed as follows: 1. to explore the background and connotation of higher education evaluation system; 2.to understand the development process and evaluation institutions of UK, USA and Taiwan (ROC); 3.to compare the higher evaluation systems of UK, USA and Taiwan (ROC), including purposes, principles, modes, standards and processes. 4. to figure out the manipulation and application of evaluation outcomes in UK, USA and Taiwan (ROC). The conclusions of this study are as follows: There are similarities and differences among these countries. The similarities are listed as follows: 1. the higher education faces impact; 2. the development of higher education evaluation system is emphasized; 3. the decrease of education subsidization causes resource competition; 4. the establishment of higher education evaluation institutions; 5. the mission of evaluation emphasize the education quality exaltation; 6. the standards of evaluation adopt both quantifiable and qualitative indicators; 7. the manipulation of evaluation outcomes are aboveboard. The differences are listed as follows: 1. the focal points of evaluation are not alike; 2. the complexion of evaluation institutions are not alike; 3. the tasks of evaluation institution are not alike; 4. the cycle of evaluation process are not alike; 5. the voluntariness of evaluation acceptance are not alike; 6. the procedures of evaluation are not alike; 7. the way to present evaluation outcomes are not alike; 8. the application of evaluation outcomes are not alike. Based on the conclusion and discoveries mentioned above, the suggestions provided in this research are as follows: 1. For development of higher education evaluation system (1) Should develop local evaluation indicators, and adjust indicators according to the speciality of curriculum. (2) Should improve public cognition of higher education evaluation. (3) Should emphasize on the follow-up tracing evaluation, and keep the improvement of higher education. (4) The focal points of evaluation should put emphasis on both accreditation and quality assurance. (5) Should adopt RAE appropriately in the mode of evaluation. (6) Should encourage the founding of private evaluation organization, to keep the diversity of higher education evaluation. (7) The application of evaluation outcomes should be integrated with related education policies. 2. For further study (1) To broaden the study to each aspect in higher education evaluation systems in UK, USA and Taiwan (ROC). (2) To broaden the study to other countries’ higher education evaluation systems. Keyword: Higher education, Higher education evaluation, comparative study