Transfer of Innovative Methodology for Assessment of VET Teachers’ Prior Learning
Name of the good/interesting practice/initiative/policy
Transfer of Innovative Methodology for Assessment of VET Teachers’ Prior Learning
Country
Lithuania
I am proposing that this example will be published also in the KSLLL database
No
1. Background
What makes this an example of good/interesting practice/initiative/policy?
- The motivation of the initiative (What is the history/background of the policy?)
- Linkages with LLG policy priorities (Please add references to other national/EU policies or documents)
- Participants
In three partner countries – Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia – there are modular study programmes based on the acquisition of competencies, but there is no possibility for VET teachers to assess and recognize their non-formal and informal learning achievements. Project activities and results will promote the development of VET teachers’ education system by establishing the methodology for the assessment of the prior (non-formal and informal) learning and the study module based on this methodology. The possibility to recognize non-formal and informal learning achievements would increase the access to formal education and personalize studies for VET teachers, having practice and pedagogical experience, but having no formal teaching qualification.
Aims and targets
- Objectives of the initiative (What did the policy set out to achieve?)
- Target group
- Methods applied to reach the objective (technological and /or pedagogical)
The aim of the project is to enrich the existing VET teachers’ education programmes in three partner countries – Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia by developing introductory module for Assessment of Prior Learning (APL). The possibility to recognize non-formal and informal learning achievements will increase the access to formal education and personalize studies for VET teachers, having practice and pedagogical experience, but having no formal teaching qualification. Expected project results:
• study of APL in VET teachers’ education systems in partner countries;
• methodology for assessment of VET teachers’ prior learning, basing on “donor” – partner (Jyvaskyla University of Applied Sciences) experience;
• study module for assessors of VET teachers’ prior learning developed and tested in partner countries;
• trained groups of assessors of VET teachers’ prior learning in three partner countries – Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia;
• introductory module for assessment of VET teachers’ prior learning developed and tested in partner countries.
Target groups:
•VET teacher educators.
•VET teachers.
•Researchers of education.
•Education policy makers.
2. Implementation
Strategy and actions (Please describe the approach adopted to make the reform work and any actions taken.)
- Level of implementation (national, regional etc.)
- Implementation (description)
Monitoring and evaluation
- What has been put in place for monitoring and evaluation?
- What actors are involved?
3. Outcomes
Achievements (Please describe the main outcomes/results according to the following headings. Each option can be answered - up to 50 words)
- Specific results
- Cost effectiveness
- Budget
- Innovative aspects
•A study of APL in VET teacher education systems in partner countries (EN) (LT) (LV) (EE)
•Methodology for assessment of VET teachers’ prior learning (EN) (LT) (LV) (EE)
•Study module for assessors of VET teachers’ prior learning
◦Handbook (EN) (LT) (LV) (EE)
◦Study module description (EN) (LT) (LV) (EE)
•Trained groups of assessors in three partner countries (LT, LV, EE).
•Introductory module for assessment of VET teachers’ prior learning
◦Handbook for APL candidates (EN) (LT) (LV) (EE)
•Special issue of scientific journal "Quality of Higher Education"
The material is available on-line: http://projects.ambernet.lt/timabalt/en/7415
Success factors (What key success factors have led to or prevented success?)
- Lessons learnt
- Unintended impacts (Have there been any unintended impacts? Positive or negative?)
Strengths and weaknesses
- What areas of the policy can we learn lessons from?
- Are there still challenges ahead?
4. Additional narrative description of the policy/practice/initiative
Additional information
Name of contact
Aušra Fokienė
Role (in policy initiative)
Project manager
Organization name
Vytautas Magnus University, Centre for Quality of Studies
Address
S. Daukanto st. 27-314, LT-44249 Kaunas, Lithuania
Phone
0037037327973
Fax
0037037327973
a.fokiene@skc.vdu.lt
Website address
http://projects.ambernet.lt/timabalt/en/7415
Documents and publications
•A study of APL in VET teacher education systems in partner countries
•Methodology for assessment of VET teachers’ prior learning
•Study module for assessors of VET teachers’ prior learning
◦Handbook
◦Study module description
•Trained groups of assessors in three partner countries
•Introductory module for assessment of VET teachers’ prior learning
◦Handbook for APL candidates
A special issue of the scientific journal The Quality of Higher Education No. 6 - http://skc.vdu.lt/index.php/en/journal/archive/no6
All documents and publications are available in LV, LT, EE and EN languages online: http://projects.ambernet.lt/timabalt/en/7415
Attached files
- File: Handbook_Eng_0.pdf (1 361 KB)
- File: HB_APL_candidate_EN.pdf (950 KB)
- File: methodology_EN.pdf (261 KB)
- File: studija_EN.pdf (251 KB)
- File: TB_Assessor_Training_description.pdf (75 KB)
Links
http://projects.ambernet.lt/timabalt/en/7415
This information was provided/updated by:
Euroguidance LT
No comments by users.
good practice, initiative, interesting practice, policy, competence assessment, competence recognition, competence-based qualifications, competences, continuing education, education planning, education provision, educational development, evaluation of informal learning, evaluation of non-formal learning, further vocational qualifications, lifelong learning, quality, validation of non-formal and informal learning, valuation process, vocational education and training, vocational studies teacher, vocational teacher education college, career management skills, co-operation, tertiary education, employed, qualifications, effectiveness, Lithuania
Development and Elaboration of the Open Information, Counselling and Guidance System (AIKOS)
Name of the good/interesting practice/initiative/policy
Development and Elaboration of the Open Information, Counselling and Guidance System (AIKOS)
Country
Lithuania
I am proposing that this example will be published also in the KSLLL database
No
1. Background
What makes this an example of good/interesting practice/initiative/policy?
- The motivation of the initiative (What is the history/background of the policy?)
- Linkages with LLG policy priorities (Please add references to other national/EU policies or documents)
- Participants
Main problems and challenges before the start of the project:
– The need of further development of the Open Information, Counselling and Guidance System (AIKOS) portal (www.aikos.smm.lt) in order to improve it’s usability, user-friendliness, appropriateness to different target groups, to ensure accuracy of information, to introduce on-line career information services. The need to develop and ensure effective interconnection of AIKOS and PLOTEUS II (Portal on Learning Opportunities throughout the European Space).
– The need to broaden the existing network of career information services by establishing 640 new Career Information Points (CIP).
Aims and targets
- Objectives of the initiative (What did the policy set out to achieve?)
- Target group
- Methods applied to reach the objective (technological and /or pedagogical)
The project had two main objectives:
1. elaboration of the Open Information, Counselling and Guidance System (AIKOS).
2. developing of the career information system facilities and establishing the network of Career Information Points (CIP).
Direct beneficiaries – students of general education, vocational education and higher education schools, career advisors, teachers. Indirect beneficiaries – all citizens interested in learning opportunities.
Methodologies and tools: applying IT technolgies, making research, creating models.
2. Implementation
Strategy and actions (Please describe the approach adopted to make the reform work and any actions taken.)
- Level of implementation (national, regional etc.)
- Implementation (description)
1. Development of the elaborated AIKOS portal programme equipment (new functional components, new contents produced according to the Standard – descriptions of occupations, qualifications, study programmes, other)
2. Development of the model of establishing the network of Career Information Points in the country. Establishing the CIP’S in the general schools, vocational schools, libraries, labour exchanges, prisons, etc. Equiping the CIP’s with the computors and other office facilities.
Monitoring and evaluation
- What has been put in place for monitoring and evaluation?
- What actors are involved?
The main indicators are:
1. number of the new AIKOS portal functional components and new content items (e.g. number of the descriptions of occupations, etc.).
2. number of the instititions in which the Career Information Points were established.
The Ministry had contracted the IT company (JSC “Sintagma”) for the development of the AIKOS portal, this company worked together with the project partner – Centre of Informations Technologies of Education.
The Ministry worked in cooperation with the 60 municipalities in order to ensure the establishment of the network of Career Information Points in the country.
3. Outcomes
Achievements (Please describe the main outcomes/results according to the following headings. Each option can be answered - up to 50 words)
- Specific results
- Cost effectiveness
- Budget
- Innovative aspects
1. New programme equipment of the Open Information, Counselling and Guidance System (AIKOS) portal.
2. 640 Career Information Points established in various institutions.
Success factors (What key success factors have led to or prevented success?)
- Lessons learnt
- Unintended impacts (Have there been any unintended impacts? Positive or negative?)
Strengths and weaknesses
- What areas of the policy can we learn lessons from?
- Are there still challenges ahead?
The main strength – usability of project results, free and easy access of the AIKOS portal and the network of Career Information Points for the beneficiaries (various groups of users).
The main weakness – need to find financial resoursces for persistent mainteneance of the AIKOS portal and support of the established Career Information Points.
4. Additional narrative description of the policy/practice/initiative
Additional information
Name of contact
Aleksandra Sokolova
Role (in policy initiative)
Representative from the The Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania in regard with the information about the Project
Organization name
The Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania
Address
A. Volano g. 2/7, LT-01516, Vilnius
Phone
00370 5 219 1190
Fax
00370 5 261 2077
Aleksandra.Sokolova@smm.lt
Website address
http://www.smm.lt/es_parama/projektai/smm_projektai/projektas_%20aikos.htm
Documents and publications
General information about the project (in Lithuanian) and it’s results is available on the official web-site of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania (www.smm.lt)
Direct link to the poject’s information:
http://www.smm.lt/es_parama/projektai/smm_projektai/projektas_%20aikos.htm
Attached files
Links
http://www.smm.lt/es_parama/projektai/smm_projektai/projektas_%20aikos.htm; http://www.smm.lt
This information was provided/updated by:
The Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania and Euroguidance
No comments by users.
good practice, initiative, interesting practice, policy, guidance, career management skills, access, quality, guidance in schools, people at risk, tertiary education, unemployed, employed, older adults, disadvantaged groups, career information, qualifications, Lithuania
The approach to Early School Leaving in the Netherlands
Name of the good/interesting practice/initiative/policy
The approach to Early School Leaving in the Netherlands
Country
the Netherlands
I am proposing that this example will be published also in the KSLLL database
No
1. Background
What makes this an example of good/interesting practice/initiative/policy?
- The motivation of the initiative (What is the history/background of the policy?)
- Linkages with LLG policy priorities (Please add references to other national/EU policies or documents)
- Participants
Tackling the problem of early school leaving is one of the priorities of the European Commission. Currently,
1 in 7 young Europeans leave school early without gaining a basic qualification. The aim is to reduce the
average percentage of early school leavers from 14.1% to less than 10% by 2020. This will involve all young
people aged between 18 and 25 who are not undertaking education/training. Measured according to the
European definition, the Dutch target is 8% in 2020. The Rutte-Verhagen Government has decided on a
more ambitious target than that for the EU, namely a maximum of 25,000 early school leavers by 2016.
The Netherlands compares well with other European countries. In 2010, the European average fell from
17.6% to 14.1%. In the Netherlands, the figures for 2010 again showed a decrease, from 15.4% in 2000 to
10.9% in 2009 and to 10.1% in 2010, making the country one of Europe’s leaders in tackling the early school
leaving problem. Better cooperation between the EU Member States, exchange of know‑how, best practices,
and focussed use of EU funding can help solve the problem.
Early School Leaving in the Netherlands – Pupils leaving school early – is an economic, social, and individual problem. Each young person has his or her own aims, wishes and ambitions, and having a good education increases the likelihood of achieving them. The Dutch knowledge economy requires well-educated employees, while Dutch society also finds itself confronted by dejuvenation and the ageing of the population, with the pressure on the labour market consequently increasing.
Tackling the problem of pupils leaving school early is one of the priorities of the Dutch government implemented by the “Drive to Reduce Drop-out Rates” approach. The Dutch target is to have no more than 25,000 new early school leavers each year by 2016.
Aims and targets
- Objectives of the initiative (What did the policy set out to achieve?)
- Target group
- Methods applied to reach the objective (technological and /or pedagogical)
In 2010, the Rutte-Verhagen Government tightened up the target, setting it at a maximum of 25,000 new early school leavers by 2016. Efforts to achieve the new, tighter target will primarily be based on what has been achieved so far. This is why that policy will continue to be pursued: systematic improvements in education, support from the youth care, public safety and employment sectors, closer monitoring, and
stricter enforcement. These measures, combined with close coordination by the municipalities, have led to success. It is
an approach that requires long-term policy and the certainty of structured, long-term funding. To achieve the 25,000
target, long-term performance agreements and transparent figures have again been decided on. The motto continues to be “prevention is better than cure”.
Continuing the approach means:
* New agreements for 2012-2015; regional cooperation;
* Truancy policy: improvements are still possible. Agreements with those in the field;
* Improved education, specifically at secondary vocational education levels 3 and 4;
* Early school leaving figures: clear and more thorough;
* Continuous learning pathway from pre-vocational secondary education to secondary vocational education;
* Focus on first year of secondary vocational education;
* Integrated approach by the youth care, public safety, and the labour market
2. Implementation
Strategy and actions (Please describe the approach adopted to make the reform work and any actions taken.)
- Level of implementation (national, regional etc.)
- Implementation (description)
In 2011, the Netherlands set a new and ambitious objective: maximum 25,000 new early school leavers in 2016. To achieve this objective, the current approach will be sustained and strengthened where necessary. The five key measures are:
1. Adequate and complete non-attendance and ESL registration.
2. Long-term performance covenants between the government, municipalities and schools. Schools are held to strict percentage targets and receive a performance bonus if they reduce ESL.
3. 39 regions throughout the country will work together to implement measures to combat ESL. The regions will receive funding to develop policies themselves. Good examples are actively promoted online and during regional and national conferences.
4. Extra facilities for vulnerable youth: a combination of regular education with care and support and vocational training if necessary.
5. In secondary vocational education: intensification of first year teaching, close pupil supervision and career guidance.
Monitoring and evaluation
- What has been put in place for monitoring and evaluation?
- What actors are involved?
The report The approach to Early School Leaving Policy in the Netherlands and the provisional figures of the 2010-2011 performance agreements http://www.aanvalopschooluitval.nl/userfiles/file/2012/2012026_OCW_VSV_UK-versie_VSV_beleid_LR_internet.pdf gives extensive information on monitoring and evaluation
3. Outcomes
Achievements (Please describe the main outcomes/results according to the following headings. Each option can be answered - up to 50 words)
- Specific results
- Cost effectiveness
- Budget
- Innovative aspects
At national level, there were 38,600 new ESL’s between 1 October 2010 and 1 October 2011. This figure is based on more accurate records than previously.1 The national ESL percentage for the 2010-2011 school year has fallen to 2.9%. At secondary schools (VO), that figure has fallen to 1.0% and at schools for (senior) secondary vocational education (MBO) to 7.2%.
None of the regions saw a rise in the number of ESL’s compared to 2005-2006.
Success factors (What key success factors have led to or prevented success?)
- Lessons learnt
- Unintended impacts (Have there been any unintended impacts? Positive or negative?)
The consistent theme of the Dutch approach is the collaboration between the ‘golden triangle’ of the government, municipalities and schools. Together they are responsible for reducing ESL numbers. This collaboration is set down in long-term covenants per region, while the national government initiates, stimulates and co-ordinates.
At the regional level, the approach begins with the day to day assurance of quality education and effective organisation. Inspiring teachers, challenging lessons, reliable schedules, a smooth transition to the labour market, pupils’ self-confidence: these all play a role in motivating pupils to stay at school. Moreover, we approach ESL not only as an educational issue, but as a social issue too. Pupils are frequently faced with various social problems that affect their performance at school, such as debt, addiction or neglect. To combat these issues, schools offer their pupils care tailored to individual needs. More investment in career guidance helps pupils to choose follow-up programmes that offer them realistic perspectives and match their talents.
Strengths and weaknesses
- What areas of the policy can we learn lessons from?
- Are there still challenges ahead?
The collaboration between the ‘golden triangle’ of the government, municipalities and schools is one of the succes factors. Another success factor of the Dutch approach is the reliable Student Number registration system. This makes it possible to track exactly who leaves school and when, so that immediate and targeted action can be taken if necessary.
4. Additional narrative description of the policy/practice/initiative
EU Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou had this to say about the Dutch approach: “Tackling early school leaving is a challenge because it means so many sectors have to work together. In most Member States, this does not yet happen in a systematic way, though some countries such as the Netherlands show the way forward.”. A number of European countries have expressed an interest in the integrated approach and accurate record-keeping system adopted by the Netherlands.
Additional information
Name of contact
Martine Soethout
Role (in policy initiative)
Projectsecretaris
Organization name
Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap. Directie Voortijdig Schoolverlaten (VSV)
Address
Phone
Fax
m.m.f.soethout@minocw.nl
Website address
http://www.aanvalopschooluitval.nl/english
Documents and publications
1. Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (2012). The approach to Early School Leaving Policy in the Netherlands and the provisional figures of the 2010-2011 performance agreements
http://www.aanvalopschooluitval.nl/userfiles/file/2012/2012026_OCW_VSV_UK-versie_VSV_beleid_LR_internet.pdf
2. Van Bijsterveldt, Marja. Preventing Early School Leaving: the Secret of the Dutch Approach. Government Gazette. http://governmentgazette.eu/?p=3701
Attached files
Links
No links specified.
This information was provided/updated by:
Peter van Deursen
No comments by users.
good practice, initiative, interesting practice, policy, early school leaving, career management skills, evidence-based policy, co-operation, guidance in schools, people at risk, qualifications, The Netherlands
National Quality System for Guidance Provision - Portugal
Name of the good/interesting practice/initiative/policy
National Quality System for Guidance Provision - Portugal
Country
Portugal
I am proposing that this example will be published also in the KSLLL database
No
1. Background
What makes this an example of good/interesting practice/initiative/policy?
- The motivation of the initiative (What is the history/background of the policy?)
- Linkages with LLG policy priorities (Please add references to other national/EU policies or documents)
- Participants
The present initiative stands as the first articulated attempt to create a fully comprehensive system of quality assurance for guidance activity in Portugal.
Although previous measures existed, providing the quality of instruments and methods used in PES-supplied guidance, as well as basic training for professionals, there was a clear need for a more integrated instrument, with adequate monitoring tools.
Given its institutional mission of assuring the adaptability and adequacy of guidance provision, the national public employment service, IEFP, has taken initiative in establishing a national standard, which will also account for the visions of an advisory network of relevant participants.
Other entities will be enrolled in the project to guarantee diffusion and improvement of standards, namely: the Portuguese Ministry of Education; Universities with research on guidance; professional/scientific associations; inter-national structures.
Aims and targets
- Objectives of the initiative (What did the policy set out to achieve?)
- Target group
- Methods applied to reach the objective (technological and /or pedagogical)
The objectives of the initiative can be resumed in three main points:
- Gaining efficacy and efficiency in guidance provision through implementation and constant check of clear standards, measures and practises
- Increasing autonomy of citizens in establishing critical learning and labour pathways, both by competence building and ease of access
- Sponsoring innovation through systematic research on critical factors in guidance for employability and job stability/success
The end target of the system is the guidance user, although we can also consider both guidance professionals and employment/educational service managers as being targeted by the measures undertaken.
The system is implemented by understanding guidance activity as part of a value chain and acting upon the phases of that chain, considering inputs, process and outputs. Primarily is considered the intervention of the PES and its creation of public value and economic spillovers.
Up-date of instruments, improvement of registry tools, accessibility, competence-assessment and of management information supports and fluxes are part of the methodology, affecting all aspects of guidance provision (materials, contents, technology).
2. Implementation
Strategy and actions (Please describe the approach adopted to make the reform work and any actions taken.)
- Level of implementation (national, regional etc.)
- Implementation (description)
The system has a national scope and is sustained in an incremental and progressive logic. Firstly, its scope is the operation of the PES services with a test run in some of its main job and training centres. Secondly, the initiative should be generalised to the full PES network. A third step should enable the adjusted diffusion of the system to different sectors and networks, namely education and private operators. As early as step two, the standard is to be shared and discussed in a advisory forum of external participants.
Common standards and information tools are already under development.
Some key measures to undertake are:
- Set periodic updates and testing of diagnosis tools, guidance methodologies, information supports, on-line contents/tools
- Improvement of registry and information transitions that allows for interchangibility of user information while guarantying users' rights
- Improvement of accessibility by development of comprehensive e-guidance tools and the improvement of information to disabled people (paper and online) and immigrant users
- Set evaluation and update of guidance professionals' competencies, with strict standards and ethical conduct
- Development of adequate tools for the follow-up of guidance users
- Balanced score-cards for guidance management and multi-level modelling of supervised
Monitoring and evaluation
- What has been put in place for monitoring and evaluation?
- What actors are involved?
Monitoring and evaluation is primarily undertaken by the Guidance Directorate of IEFP in articulation with other network participants.
A monitoring mechanism has been established, measuring the efficacy of the planned measures affecting inputs and process as well as a system of indicators aimed at measuring impact variables.
Input variables are monitored through direct control of measures and by user enquiring.
Process/organisation variables are monitored by tools' assessment, management enquiring and technical staff enquiring.
Outputs are monitored by follow-up of PES users (with and without guidance), defining samples that have as basic statistical unit the job/training centres. Follow-up focus on job stability/success, job mobility, autonomy assessment (labour and education), educational success, labour market queuing, entrepreneurship capacities.
A balanced scorecard has been defined with all the assessment dimensions deemed relevant.
A statistical modelling process is being developed to enable research-based adjustments to guidance policy, using as a methodology multi-level analysis.
3. Outcomes
Achievements (Please describe the main outcomes/results according to the following headings. Each option can be answered - up to 50 words)
- Specific results
- Cost effectiveness
- Budget
- Innovative aspects
Specific results: only planning and tools have been developed
Cost effectiveness: progressive implementation and thigh instrument control should allow for low costs of project and improvement of present cost-result ratio in provision
Innovative aspects: Research-based approach
Success factors (What key success factors have led to or prevented success?)
- Lessons learnt
- Unintended impacts (Have there been any unintended impacts? Positive or negative?)
Strengths and weaknesses
- What areas of the policy can we learn lessons from?
- Are there still challenges ahead?
4. Additional narrative description of the policy/practice/initiative
Additional information
Name of contact
Pedro Moreno da Fonseca
Role (in policy initiative)
Organization name
IEFP
Address
Phone
Fax
pedro.fonseca@iefp.pt
Website address
No links specified.
Documents and publications
Attached files
Links
No links specified.
This information was provided/updated by:
Pedro Moreno da Fonseca PhD
No comments by users.
ELGPN, good practice, initiative, interesting practice, policy, career management skills, access, quality, evidence-based policy, co-operation, guidance in schools, people at risk, unemployed, employed, disadvantaged groups, career information, qualifications, effectiveness, Portugal