May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union1

Lifelong learning in the European Union David White Director Lifelong Learning European Commission

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union3 European Union “Lisbon agenda” Sense of underperformance Sharpened by US Major issues to address Globalisation Competitiveness Jobs and growth Potential is there

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union4 Lisbon agenda – key areas The Knowledge Society and policy on Enterprise Research Education Innovation Keys to jobs, growth and competitiveness

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union5 Lisbon and EU “competence” EU is not quite federal but Defined fields of action Principle of subsidiarity Common issues Could do better Highly dispersed performance Contains world-beaters Open method of coordination Recognition of common goals Voluntary participation Benchmarking method Self-driven assessment cycle Commission assessment National reform agenda Annual report High level political discussion

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union6 Lisbon put education & training on the EU map Education & training challenged by demography Lisbon requires efficiency traditional concern for equity

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union7 Demographic challenge to Europe Population 493 million Fertility below replacement since 1970, now 1.5 Life expectancy increasing 2 years every decade Working age population will decline from 2011 Median age rises from 39 to Migration pressure Demand pull Economic pressure creates supply Instability elsewhere (asylum applications have soared since 1990) Currently 17.7 million non-national residents

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union8 Lisbon put education & training on the EU map Education & training challenged by demography Lisbon requires efficiency traditional concern for equity

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union9 Education and training 2010 (1) Objectives Improve quality & effectiveness Facilitate access Open up systems to the world Method – peer learning clusters Modernisation of HE Teachers & trainers Making best use of resources ICT & the recognition of learning outcomes etc

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union10 Education and training 2010 (2) Monitor progress 5 benchmarks Not more than 10% early school leavers Decrease of 20% in low-achievement in literacy 85% of young people complete upper secondary education Adult participation in education 12.5% Indicators developing Report progress Biennial Joint Progress Report (next in February 2008) Reference tools Resolutions on lifelong learning, lifelong guidance etc Recommendations on key competences, EQF, teacher training etc

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union11 Education and training Benchmarks 2000Today Trend 2010 Benchmark Early school leavers (%)  2. MST graduates (000) Youth education attainment (% upper secondary)  4. Low achieving 15 year olds reading %  5. LLL adult participation (%)  * Change in series, for LLL the change overstates real progress

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union12 Lisbon target 85% Education and training Benchmark LLL 85%

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union13 Target not more than 10% Education and training Early school leavers <10%

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union14 Education and training Benchmarks

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union15 Education and training female participation in tertiary

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union16 Education and training Core indicators 8 use current data Participation in pre-school Early school leavers Literacy in reading, maths, science Completion rates upper secondary HE graduates Adult participation in LLL Cross national mobility in HE Educational attainment of the population 3 need further refinement of definitions Special needs education ICT Skills Investment in E&T 5 “to be pursued” Civic skills Adult skills Professional development of teachers Language skills Learning to learn skills

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union17 Key competences for Lifelong Learning (1) National strategy to provide for Young people to develop key competences Young people with educational disadvantage Adults to develop & update across life Infrastructure for continuing education Coherence between E&T and social, employment, cultural & innovation policy

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union18 Key competences for Lifelong Learning (2) 8 key competences Communication in mother tongue Communication in foreign languages Mathematical competence & basic competence in science & technology Digital competence Learning to learn Social & civic competence Sense of initiative & entrepreneurship Cultural awareness & expression

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union19 European Qualifications Framework (1) Objectives Facilitate transparency of qualifications Promote mobility Encourage lifelong learning Operates on basis of learning outcomes 8 levels of qualification Descriptors for Knowledge Skills Competences

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union20 European Qualifications Framework (2) Example Level 1 Basic general knowledge Basic skills required to carry out specific tasks Work or study under direct supervision in a structured context Level 6 – bachelor’s degree Level 8 – doctorate EQF is underpinned by Quality assurance Sectoral detail from Tuning Compatible with ECVET (vocational training system) ECTS (Bologna tool for higher education)

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union21 Reform of Higher Education Curricula 3-cycle system Competence based learning Flexible learning paths Recognition Mobility Governance University autonomy Partnership with stakeholders Quality assurance Funding Diversify Promote equity Access & efficiency

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union22 Education for innovation Creativity and innovation The drop-out who thinks outside the box The doctors who make it work Soft innovation skills Creativity, problem solving, communication, team work Innovation depends on competence, not knowledge: on active involvement of learner in learning process, reflection, interpretation ICT skills are crucial

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union23 Lisbon put education & training on the EU map Education & training challenged by demography Lisbon requires efficiency traditional concern for equity

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union24 Equity & efficiency Equity & efficiency are compatible objectives Biggest returns come to pre-school learning Early tracking promotes neither efficiency nor equity Free HE may not be a good use of resources Training should be linked to business Policy should be based on evidence

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union25 The benefits of education and training Children from a low socio- economic background Children from a high socio- economic background Pre- primary Primary & Secondary Higher education Adult education Rate of return Age

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union26 Evidence based policy (1) Very little research is carried out on education Reluctance in accepting research evidence as policy basis Teachers in general are neither equipped to contribute to research, nor to use it Sequence: creation – mediation – application. Difficult at each step

Impact of evidence on public debate according to survey respondents Answers to questionnaire on public debate & statistical evidence: 'Do you think that the public debate on the following issues is based on well established evidence?' % 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Economic Growth (GDP) Knowledge Economy (R&D) Labour Market (Employment) Social Conditions (Poverty) Yes Undecided No Source: Ifo World Economic Survey (WES), I/2007

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union28 Evidence based policy (2) The role of teachers is crucial Teachers need to identify with research for it to be useful In Finland, teachers are both researchers and users of research

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union29 Quality of teacher training (1) Teachers are an aging group Widespread shortages Lack of new competences In-service training is limited Less than half MS require even 3 days per year in-service training Only half EU MS offer early support Limited incentives for in-service training

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union30 Age structure of all professionals and teachers (2005)

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union31 Quality of teacher training (2) Ensure that teachers possess appropriate Knowledge Attitudes Pedagogical skills Support professionalisation of teachers Ensure sufficient resources for initial and continuing teacher development Promote the status and recognition of the profession

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union32 Status of in-service training for teachers in primary, general lower and upper secondary education, 2002/03

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union33 Adult learning An essential part of Lifelong learning 5 key messages Lift the barriers all age groups & levels of attainment bottom quartile Ensure quality teaching methods, staff, providers, delivery Recognition & validation of learning outcomes EQF, ECVET, quality assurance Invest in aging population & migrants Develop indicators & benchmarks

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union34 Conclusion Objectives Improve quality & effectiveness Facilitate access Open up systems to the world EU has accepted that there is an issue Building blocks are being put in place There is a rich base of experience The end is not in sight

May 2007Lifelong Learning in the European Union35