Plan for Applying Total Quality Management in Education for Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences

In this study, the appropriateness of existing quality standards and their use in practice in educational organizations were discussed. The study shows how the quality standard of TQM and QMTL and the possibility of their articulation to develop a holistic model can contribute to change this situation. The study alsoinvestigated whether this standard is an adequate basis for quality development in organizations. To implement a quality system in an educational organization, four main steps are necessary: context setting, model adaptation, model implementation/adoption, and quality development. Each step should be performed with a broad range of actors to raise awareness and consensus. To facilitate this process and to develop a quality system for an organization, the use of the holistic model for the description of quality approaches was recommended. Since the model is very generic, more research is necessary, especially to find specific solutions to different contexts of usage (e.g., for schools). Additionally, research has been initiated to analyze the differences and adaptation requirements for different countries and regions to include cultural aspects. Finally, a variety of tools is being developed to support this process, such as the initial choice of a quality approach or the choice of quality instruments. For the future, it can be expected that a variety of tools will be available to support this process and to integrate quality into a broad range of educational organizations.