The path to higher vocational education, Education Council, april 2010

The path to higher professional education Cees van Leest, LL M Staffmember Education Council c.v.leest@onderwijsraad.nl The path to higher vocational education, Education Council, april 2010

Education Council Advisory body Based on The Education Council Act (1919 and1997) Independent in terms of content and method of operating The path to higher vocational education, Education Council, april 2010

Provides advice (in total 10-12 advices a year) to: Secretary of Education, Cultural Affairs and Science (concerning policy and legislation on education and based on a working programme) Chambers of Parliament (educational matters in general) Local authorities (cases of local education policy related to constitutionally guaranteed freedom of education) The path to higher vocational education, Education Council, april 2010

Organization 12 council members (formative) Expertise: scientific, educational practice, managerial They form a cross-section from various religious and social movements in Dutch society 12 academic staff members and 8 support staff members The path to higher vocational education, Education Council, april 2010

Advice The path to tertiary vocational education (HBO) No integral advice on all aspects of this path Present situation: 2 main intake groups: Senior general secondary education (= in Dutch HAVO) 40% or 40.000 students Senior vocational secondary education (= in Dutch MBO) 30% or 30.000 students The path to higher vocational education, Education Council, april 2010

Questions of the Secretary of Education Statement: there is a problem in the connection between MBO and HBO, specifically for those who transfer to a training in HBO which is not related to their MBO-training General question to the council: how can this be improved? Specific question to the council: is there a need to improve the qualification dossier, while this dossier is mainly oriented towards the labour market? The path to higher vocational education, Education Council, april 2010

Findings of the Council Change in student types: big increase of students in HBO transferring from MBO High drop-out rate in the first year of HBO not only for students transferring from MBO, but also for students transferring from HAVO: between 30 and 40% Relatively small difference in drop-out rates The path to higher vocational education, Education Council, april 2010

Low yield after 5 years of study for students transferring both from MBO and from HAVO: around 50% Insufficient empirical evidence relating to differences in yield between those who transferred to a training in HBO related to their MBO-training and those who transferred to a training unrelated to their MBO-training The path to higher vocational education, Education Council, april 2010

Considerations of the Council: There is for both MBO- and HAVO-students in HBO a relatively high drop-out rate in the first year and a relatively low yield after 5 years There is insufficient empirical evidence relating to differences between those who transferred to a training in HBO related to their MBO-training and those who transferred to a training not related to their MBO-training The path to higher vocational education, Education Council, april 2010

Conclusions of the Council: There is a problem, but not only for those transferring from MBO There is no need to amend the general right of free access to any training in HBO Due to the selective function of the propedeutic year in HBO there is a balance between the need for highly skilled professionals and the importance of the right of free access The path to higher vocational education, Education Council, april 2010

Recently initiated government policy (improving language and arithmetics in different ways) will ensure an increase in the quality of new HBO students Nevertheless further improvements are necessary for those transferring from MBO ánd HAVO The path to higher vocational education, Education Council, april 2010

Recommendations of the Council to the Secretary of Education: Persevere in continuing policy measures as mentioned Compile a transfer qualification dossier alongside and in conjunction with the professional qualification dossier Stimulate the realisation of a system of self-assessment for prospective students The path to higher vocational education, Education Council, april 2010

Recommendations of the Council to schools and institutions: Different remedial and stimulating activities: - support new students - small contact-intensive home bases for starting students: academic and social integration - consideration of reception- and support- culture in HBO Active stance MBO towards HBO-studies The path to higher vocational education, Education Council, april 2010

Nassaulaan 6 – 2514 JS Den Haag www.onderwijsraad.nl The path to higher vocational education, Education Council, april 2010