Quality of education at local, regional, national and European level Future objectives of Education and training systems For the future of Europe By Yves Beernaert, KHLeuven

A proverb When planning for a year, plant corn. When planning for a decade plant trees. When planning for life, train and educate people

References Draft Council conclusions on the follow-up to the report on the concrete objectives of education and training systems; 29 Nov Communication from the Commission: Making a European area of lifelong learning a reality; 29 Nov Socrates II, Leonardo da Vinci, Youth etc. Innovative schools, OECD,

Lisbon European council 23-24/03/2000 The European Union is to become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based society in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion

Communication from the Commission 21/11/2001 Making a European Area of Lifelong Learning a Reality Lifelong learning is, however, about much more than economics. It also promotes the goals and ambitions of European countries to become more inclusive, tolerant and democratic.

Resolution of 1976 on education Migrants children Knowledge of education systems Facts and figures Equal opportunities Languages Higher education

Since : Erasmus 1988: Resolution on European dimension 1989: Lingua 1992 – 1994: MSP pilot (school partnerships) 1995: Socrates I 2000: Socrates II 2006: Socrates III ???

Since Report Lisbon Council Report on the Future Concrete Objectives of Education and Training Systems ( Feb.2001) Follow-up to Objectives report (Nov.2001) The eLearning initiative as part of the eEurope action plan (2000) A European area of lifelong learning (2001) based on the Memorandum on lifelong learning A European research area (2001-2)

29 November 2001 Draft Conclusions on the follow-up report on the concrete future objectives of education and training systems in view of the preparation of the Joint Council/Commission report to be presented to the Spring 2002 European Council in Barcelona

3 strategic objectives 1. Improving the quality and effectiveness of education and training systems in Europe 2. Facilitating access of all to education and training systems 3. Opening Up education and training systems to the wider world

Strategic objective 1 1. Improving the quality and effectiveness of education and training systems in Europe

Strategic objective Improving education and training for teachers and trainers 1.2.Developing skills for the knowledge society 1.3. Ensuring access to ICT for everyone 1.4. Increasing the recruitment to scientific and technical studies 1.5. Making the best of resources

1.1. Improving education and training for teachers and trainers Support teachers and trainers, (3 I’s in LLL) Skills teachers and trainers needs for changing role in knowledge society: coach, facilitator Sufficient level of entry of profession; long term needs; making teaching more attractive Recruit teachers with other professional experience

1.2. Developing skills for the knowledge society Identifying new basic skills; integrate them with traditional skills in curricula Basic skills accessible to all, including less advantaged Promoting official validation of basic skills (competencies and skills)

1.3. Ensuring access to ICT for everyone Adequate equipment and educational software to apply ICT and eLearning processes in teaching and training Encourage the best use of innovative teaching and learning techniques based on ICT (Eur. Computer driving Licence, learning platforms etc.)

1.4. Increasing the recruitment to scientific & technical studies Increase interest in maths, science and technology from an early age Motivating young peole to choose studies in those fields and research careers and scientificic disciplines with shortages of qualified personnel Improve gender balance in this field Sufficient teachers in those fields (co-operation with science museums, research institutes, specialised companies)

1.5. Making the best of resources Increase investment in human resources and ensure an equitable and effective distribution Support the development of compatible quality assurance systems respecting diversity Develop the potential of public-private partnership (professional development teachers, staff)

Strategic objective 2 Facilitating access of all to education and training systems

Strategic objective Open learning environments 2.2. Making learning more attractive 2.3. Supporting active citizenship, equal opportunities and social cohesion

2.1. Open learning environments Broaden access to lifelong learning: information, advice and guidance Enhance effective participation of adult sin LL combined with other responsibilities and activities Learning accessible to all Flexible learning paths (dual learning systems)

2.2. Making learning more attractive Encourage young people to remain after end of compulsory education Official validation of non formal learning Making learning more attractive in formal, informal and non formal education (APEL, portfolios)

2.3. Supporting active citizenship, equal opportunities and social cohesion Promote learning of democratic values and democratic participation Integrate fully equal opportunities in education and training Ensure fair access to acquisition of skills for less privileged (active citizenship, peer education models, violence in schools)

Strategic objective 3 Opening Up education and training systems to the wider world

Strategic objective Strengthening the links with working life and research, and society at large 3.2. Developing the spirit of enterprise 3.3. Improving foreign language learning 3.4. Increasing mobility and exchange 3.5. Strengthening European co- operation

3.1. Strengthen the links with working life and research and society at large Promote close co-operation between education and training systems and society at large Partnerships between all types of education, training, firms and research facilities (Learning communities:

3.2. Developing the spirit of enterprise Promote sense of initiative and creativity to develop entrepreneurship Facilitate acquisition of skills needed to set up and run a business (

3.3. Improving foreign language learning Encourage everyone to learn TWO or more languages and increase awareness for foreign language learning Encourage schools and training institutions to use efficient teaching and training methods to motivate language learning (language portfolio)

3.4. Increase mobility and exchange Provide widest access to mobility Monitor mobility Facilitate validation and recognition of competencies acquired during mobility (portfolios, Europass)

3.5. Strengthening European co-operation Enhance recognition processes for further study, training and employment through Europe Promote co-operation between responsible organisations and authorities towards quality assurance and accreditation Transparency of information on education and training opportunities to create the open European area for education

The role of the regions in Europe Develop regional strategies Co-operation with other regions Regional (learning, educational) audits Regional (learning) objectives Regional funding in specific areas Co-operation Committee of the Regions Learning regions

European projects Partnerships as learning organisations Schools integrated into learning communities European partnerships linking across the wider world (Mediterranean!) Active methodologies (e.g. Constructivist) Strong evaluation

Innovative schools as learning communities Caring environment Innovative Learning environment Promotion of active (global) citizenship Internationalisation + networking Profess. development staff, heads, teachers Links school and community

Conclusion It takes a village to raise a child !