Europe and Education School Education COMENIUS

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

Participating countries 15 EU Member States EFTA (Island, Liechtenstein, Norway) Associated countries (bilateral association agreements) : Central and Eastern European Countries Cyprus Malta Turkey Third countries

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

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

Financial framework SOCRATES : 1850 Million € / 7 years / EU COMENIUS : at least 27% additional funds for participating countries from outside EU

Comenius - 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

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

Comenius 1 SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS

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

Main elements Comenius Plan Continuation of successful school actions Comenius School Development Projects Integration of ex-Comenius Action 2 Mobility of pupils in all projects Simplified procedures

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

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

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

Comenius Language Projects Objective : to improve pupils’ motivation and capacity to learn foreign languages Format : 2 schools in 2 countries for 1 year Priorities : the least widely used and taught languages of the EU vocational and technical schools

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

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.

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

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

Simplified procedures Project period = school year One closing date per year (1 March) Project package application Multiannual contracts Transparent and coherent criteria and rules in all participating countries

Comenius 2 TRAINING OF SCHOOL EDUCATION STAFF

Comenius 2 Two types of activities: Transnational co-operation projects Mobility

Comenius 2 For all types of school education staff An integrated way to deal with the different phases and aspects of their professional development The activities undertaken in Comenius Actions 2 and 3, as well as in Lingua A, B and C continue under the Action

Objectives To contribute to reinforcing the European dimension in education To promote innovation and quality in school education To complement activities undertaken at national level

Three aspects of education Promoting innovation related to teaching methods and subject areas management of schools, guidance and counseling pedagogical use of ICT Enhancing quality in the teaching of EU languages Finding better ways to meet the educational needs of specific learner groups

Projects : eligible activities Creating training courses and modules for future teachers and other types of school education staff Promoting the mobility of students studying in partner institutions (including practical training and accreditation) Organising of short-term training activities for school education staff Developing, testing, validating and disseminating pedagogical material and strategies Exchanging innovation and good practice

Project partnerships At least three eligible bodies involved in initial and/or in- service training of educational staff in three countries participating in Socrates

Mobility Three types of mobility : Initial Teacher Training Courses (in general including a period of practical experience in the classroom) In-service Teacher Training Courses Language Assistantships

Comenius 3 NETWORKS

Comenius 3 Comenius networks encourage co- operation between Comenius 1 - School partnerships Comenius 2 - Training of school education staff

Objectives To facilitate co-operation between projects working on similar themes To promote the dissemination of results and good practice To provide a platform for reflection on quality and innovation in school education

Activities eligible for financial support Co-ordination : the development of a Web-site and databases, project meetings, drafting reports, etc. Co-operation with other networks or initiatives Network activities : the organising of working groups, training, seminars, conferences, the production of case studies, comparative analyses, etc.

Financial support Based on a work programme - three years maximum May be granted for another period of three years (maximum) on the basis of a new work programme (decreasing amounts) The strategy and activities must ensure sustainability