How the PO Council looks in the mirror

Objectively measuring your quality - it's a given in education. But as an interest group, how do you make sure you stay sharp? The PO-Raad takes a clear approach: biannual surveys among its members. “You want to know where you stand and where you can improve,” says association manager Sander Dankelman.

The PO-Raad is the association of education organisations in primary education, with members who together provide education to 99 per cent of all pupils in primary education. “The general assembly of members is the highest body of the association, with an executive board and a general board with members of the PO-Raad under it. The office supports the members in their daily work.

The council works for its members, so it is important to know how members value the council's work. To find out, the PO Council commissions a member satisfaction survey by DUO-Onderwijs every two years. “Everyone in education has a quality assurance system, from schools to boards to teachers. You simply learn by feedback and by objectively measuring how you are doing,” says Sander. “We think we should do the same and think it makes sense for us as an association to look in the mirror as well.”

The survey not only gauges an overall rating, but also asks members specifically about their appreciation of the association's various tasks. “We have three main tasks,” Sander explains. “We represent the interests of our members, for example by bringing the perspective of educational practice to the government when it comes to new laws or policies. We also support our members with a wide range of services, from training courses and webinars to information products such as Scholen op de kaart. Finally, we work on sector development, always together with members, board and partners.” Current themes include later selection and the learning resources market.

DUO-Onderwijs helped the PO-Raad formulate the right questions and administer the survey to all members. The results of the survey provided concrete areas for improvement. “For instance, we saw that members did not always know what we do in terms of lobbying, because that often takes place behind the scenes. At the same time, we discovered that our products and services are actually very well used and appreciated. That was a nice confirmation as well as an incentive to strengthen them further.”

Sander and his colleagues translated the results into concrete improvement actions: for example, making lobbying activities more visible during regional meetings and the general assembly, strengthening the product and service offering, and involving members more in the work of the association. The effect is measurable: the rating rose from a 7 to a 7.2. “A 7 for an association is already at the upper end, but it is nice to see that interventions are having an effect.”

He describes working with DUO-Onderwijs as professional and pleasant. “They are thoughtful, flexible and make sure the research is technically sound,” says Sander. “Doing research is really a profession. You want reliable and representative results. Especially with more complex questions, you shouldn't do it yourself. DUO-Onderwijs does it every day and understands it.”

Sander Dankelman is association manager of the PO-Raad, the sector association for primary education, representing the interests of school organisations.