SOCRATES II Second Phase of the Community action programme in the field of education “SOCRATES” 1

Essential features Legal basis: Articles 149 & 150 of EC Treaty 7 year time span: 1 Jan 2000 - 31 Dec 2006 Overall budget: 1850 million EURO for 7 years) (compared to 933 million ECU for 1995-99)

Who can take part? pupils, students and all other categories of learners all categories of staff involved in education (teachers, headteachers, administrators and managers, persons involved in guidance and counselling, inspectorate etc.) all types of educational institutions local, regional and national authorities and ministries responsible for education

Who else can take part? Other public and private bodies cooperating with educational institutions, in particular: Local and regional bodies Companies Associations Other non-profit making organisations Social partner organisations Research centres 2

4 Objectives To contribute to the development of quality education, by: strengthening the European dimension in education promoting knowledge of EU languages promoting cooperation and mobility and removing obstacles encouraging educational innovation and exploring matters of common policy interest 3

Programme structure 8 Actions School Education (Comenius) Higher Education (Erasmus) Other educational pathways (Grundtvig) Language learning (Lingua) Open and distance learning/New technologies (Minerva) Observation and innovation Joint actions Accompanying measures 5

Allocation of funds Comenius: at least 27% of total budget Erasmus: at least 51% of total budget Grundtvig: at least 7% of total budget (at least 8% if possible) Maximum of 4.5% of annual budget to be spent on technical assistance and national agencies

School Education Comenius Europe and education School Education Comenius 1

COMENIUS The School Education Action of the European Community’s Programme “Socrates” on Education 2

Participating countries 15 EU Member States EFTA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) Associated countries (bilateral association agreements) : Central and Eastern European Countries Cyprus Malta Turkey (in 2003 preparatory activities only) 3

Who can participate? Pupils, students and other learners All categories of educational staff (such as teachers, head teachers, administrative staff, management staff, guidance counselors and inspectors) All kinds of educational establishments Education authorities at local, regional and national level 4

Who else? Public and private bodies which co-operate with educational establishments, in particular: Local and regional bodies Businesses Associations Non-profitmaking organisations Social partners Research centers 5

Objectives Enhance the quality of education Reinforce the European dimension of education Promote the learning of languages Promote intercultural awareness

Overall priorities Equal opportunities Pupils at risk Children of migrants, Gypsies, travellers and occupational travellers Pupils with special educational needs POLICY OF INCLUSION 7

Comenius - 3 actions 1. SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS 2. TRAINING OF SCHOOL EDUCATION STAFF 3. NETWORKS 6

Comenius 1 SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS 8

Priorities Pupils with special educational needs Intercultural education, combat racism and xenophobia Equal opportunities for women and men Schools lacking experience in European cooperation Disadvantaged schools and pupils

Comenius 1 Three project types : Comenius School Projects Comenius Language Projects Comenius School Development Projects 11

Comenius School Projects Objective : to develop and reinforce the European dimension of school education Format : at least 3 schools from at least 3 countries for 3 years maximum Area : any theme or topic of common interest to the participating schools 12

Comenius Language Projects Objective : to improve pupils’ motivation and capacity to learn foreign languages Format : 2 schools in 2 countries for 1 year 13

Integrated and multidisciplinary projects Part of regular school activities Part of the pupils’ programme of study Involve several groups of pupils/classes Bring together various disciplines Involvement of as many pupils and teachers as possible 14

Comenius School Development Projects Objective : to improve school management and pedagogical approaches School centered : management and staff Format : at least 3 schools in at least 3 countries for 3 years maximum Area : any theme or topic relating to management and pedagogical approaches of common interest to the participating schools 15

Examples Integration of pupils with special educational needs Integration of ethnic minority groups Preventing and combating racism and xenophobia Conflict resolution; prevention of violence Equal opportunities between girls and boys Acquiring skills in the language of instruction Adapted teaching methods; classroom management Involvement of mediators and teaching assistants Involvement of parents and the local community Co-operation and co-ordination with local authorities such as social services, health services, employment services, youth services and the police 16

Comenius Plan Short and simple paper Tool for school to plan and evaluate activities under Comenius Outcome of reflection and discussion between all actors concerned Point of reference for the National Agencies 10

Partners other than schools Objective : to embed projects in a wider school and local environment Examples : parents’ associations, pupils’ associations, local and regional authorities, businesses, associations, non-profitmaking organisations, NGOs, museums etc. 17

Mobility Support for : Differences according to type of project Staff Pupils Differences according to type of project

Staff Mobility Outside projects : preparatory visits Within projects : transnational project meetings head teacher study visits teacher exchanges teacher placements accompanying class exchanges 18

Pupil Mobility Comenius School Projects Comenius School Development Projects Comenius Language Projects participation of limited number of pupils in transnational project meetings class exchanges for min. 14 days of min. 10 pupils aged 14 years and above 19

Financial support Standard amount Variable amount Various project costs Transnational mobility of staff and pupils

Project grant (1) Standard amount : Covers : Does NOT cover : max 2000 € / year for co-ordinating school max 1500 € / year for partner school Does NOT cover : staff costs transnational mobility Covers : linguistic preparation consumables translation documentation software general administration other (e.g. minor equipment items)

Project grant (2) Variable amount : travel costs : real cost subsistence costs : for staff in exceptional cases for pupils max. SOCRATES rates School Projects and School Development Projects : appr. 4-6 staff / year / school appr. 2-4 pupils / year / school Language Projects : min. 10 pupils / school

Management Decentralised action Your contact point your National Agency

National Agencies National Agencies : provide information to schools receive and select applications allocate grants issue contracts and make payments monitor projects and assess project reports

Links with other actions Schools can also : host Comenius Language Assistants participate in Comenius 3 networks

Hosting Comenius Language Assistants Interested schools : apply on 1 February or 1 March for next school year join Comenius Plan with application send application to National Agency may receive an assistant for 3-8 months do not receive any financial support

Participation in Comenius 3 Interested schools can : obtain information on networks from their National Agency apply for a preparatory visit grant to take part in a network contact seminar apply for mobility funds within their project to participate in network activities and events