WORKSHOP ON CORE VARIABLES Case study variable Educational attainment Christine COIN, Head of Unit F4 "Education, Science and Culture"

Background Core Variable «Highest level of education completed » (EA): - Included in all EU social surveys «Major» variable for crossing information in EU social surveys - Transmitted according to ISCED classification At least 6 positions For LFS: more detailed level (13 positions) Europe 2020 (and Education and training 2020) indicators based on EA measured through LFS data

Europe 2020 « education » indicators Two EU headline indicators + national targets are based on EA measured through LFS: Early leavers from school and education under 10% (ie young people not in education and training with at most lower secondary education, age group 18-24) Persons with tertiary education (age group 30-34) at least 40% Quality and comparability is needed!

Approach for further harmonisation Priority to EA measured through LFS Three steps: Availability of metadata on how EA is currently collected Definition of further guidelines for measuring EA Implementation of these guidelines

Step 1: Availability of metadata on how EA is currently collected in LFS Ongoing work, together with OECD, to be finalised by end of 2011 Questionnaire to be soon sent to MS: - Questions used to collect the information (incl. use of registers) - List of possible replies in the interview (level of detail, coverage) Conversion of the replies into ISCED Mainly two situations: Collection of education levels according to national classification Collection of diploma (UK, FR) Question: existence and use of ISCED mappings ?

Step 2: Definition of further guidelines for measuring EA in LFS Where we would like to go? Towards integrated systems: Data collected on diploma obtained Single mapping between diploma obtained and ISCED Use of standard software for LFS data collection especially Internet based modes (to be extended to other data surveys ?) An orientation towards further input harmonisation Guidelines on 1. and 2. will be available by the end of 2012 Collaboration with OECD

An example of integrated system Do you have any diploma or qualifications?  Yes If yes, please tick the highest diploma you obtained (country specific list at national level):  GCSE / Vocational GCSE (for a UK questionnaire)  A level (for a UK questionnaire)  Bachelor (field: e.g. law)  Master (field: e.g. sciences)  Doctorate (field: e.g. economy)  etc. (exhaustive list)  No If no, which educational programme did you complete? (e.g. primary or lower secondary education when no certification exists)

Step 2: Definition of further guidelines for measuring EA in LFS WHY? Increased complexity in the measurement of levels of education Growing number of qualifications obtained in the country or abroad (e.g. European qualification framework) Students mobility (Erasmus programmes, …) Benefits (some): Precision of responses (reduction of biais) Reduction of burden for interviewees and interviewers

Step 2: Definition of further guidelines for EA In addition: Revised ISCED (to be adopted in 2011) has two dimensions: Programmes (as ISCED 1997) Related qualifications (new) Second dimension reinforces needs for guidelines on EA NB: Implementation of ISCED 2011 in EU data sources, from 2014 at the earliest to be discussed in Sept 2011

Step 3: Implementation of these guidelines for EA in LFS When? Together with implementation of the revised ISCED, from 2014 onwards at the earliest How? Grants to be awarded in 2012 Methodological work on questions related to diploma and on ISCED mappings (including coordination within national statisticians) - Share of experience with regards to IT integrated tool through for ex. an ad hoc technical Workshop

Conclusions / discussion This « case study » on EA shows: Potential for further input harmonisation DSS Members agree with the proposed approach ? Scope for further promotion / exchange of data collection methods and tools In line with modernisation of EU social statistics!