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

2. 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

3. 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!

4. 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

5. 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 ?

6. 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

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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

10. Step 3: Implementation of these guidelines for EA in LFS
When?
Together with implementation of the revised ISCED, from 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

11. 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!