Strengthening the knowledge base Norway OECD, 30 October

Lifelong learning Increased recognition of the importance of lifelong learning Main objective: to meet the need for competence in society and working life flexibility and adjustment to new tasks The Competence Reform (1999)

The elements of the Competence Reform

Establishment of Vox Vox – National centre for adult education (2001) 3 institutions merged into one research is no longer Vox’s responsibility The main objective in the Competence Building Programme was to implement part of the Competence Reform administered by Vox

Competence Building Programme 739 allocations of funding, involving about 70 000 persons (2000-2005) 2 phases: Funding for innovative development projects Funding for dissemination Also: Models for funding of subsistence A wide range of projects in a lot of different branches common denominator: the workplace as an arena for learning and training

Evaluation of the programme The programme is being evaluated by two research institutions Responsibility: The Ministry of Education and Research Final report in December 2006 Preliminary findings: A successful programme Difficult to reach those with the lowest level of competence Projects for dissemination: A meeting place more than a market place for users and suppliers of learning

New programme based on the findings from the Competence Building Programme and the findings of IALS and ALL BKA (Basic Competence in Working life) Main objective: to enhance basic skills to be able to meet requirement and adjustments in work life (and society) Reading, writing, numeracy and digital tools Based on the demands of modern working life The programme is being administered by Vox the Ministry of Education and Research has responsibility for evaluation

European Language Portfolio National tool for adult learning European Language Portfolio for adult immigrants A version for immigrants with poor school background under production More focus on formative assessment OECD National conference for teachers in adult education by Vox The term ”formative assessment” is mentioned in the guideline to the national curriculum for the teaching of Norwegian as a second language to adult immigrants Focus on implementation of ELP as a method – funding for different projects in 2007

Challenges A lot of money spent without knowing if the effect is satisfactory increasing attention regarding organizing, funding, implementation (including methods) and teachers’ competence Lack of evidence The Knowledge Promotion – has to be adjusted to the individual No guidance Individual adaptation – same curricula for all groups Requires professional and highly competent teachers

To sum up: Increased focus on basic skills More focus on competence descriptions of levels of competence are developed More focus on competence More focus on reporting and documentation

For more information about the ”Competence Building Programme” and ”Basic skills in working life”, please contact: tom.sorhus@vox.no Or: dina.roynestad@vox.no anne.husby@utdanningsdirektoratet.no