EU Presidency Conference Effective policies for the development of

competencies of youth in EuropeWarsaw, 16-18 November 2011

Improving basic skills in Europe - national policies and measures

for mathematics and science education

Teodora Parveva, Bernadette ForsthuberEurydice

Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency

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Importance of competences in mathematics and science:•Council conclusions (2008): ”Numeracy, mathematical and digital competences and an understanding of science are ... vital for full participation in the knowledge society....”•EU-benchmark: reducing the share of 15-year-olds with low achievement in mathematics and science to less than15% by 2020.

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UnderstandingUnderstandingEducation Education in Europein Europe

Education systems and policies Education systems and policies in 33 European countriesin 33 European countries

The Eurydice Network

Other reports on key competences

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Mathematics Education in Europe: Common Challenges and National Policies

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• Curriculum• Teaching methods• Assessment• Teacher education and professional development• Low achievement• Motivation and engagement

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Mathematics Education in Europe: Common Challenges and National Policies

Translating the revised curriculum into

classroom practice

• Recent reforms: less mathematical content, more emphasis on links with other subjects, problem-solving and application of knowledge

• Further guidance on implementing changes in the classroom

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Mathematics Education in Europe: Common Challenges and National Policies

A range of teaching approaches to meet the needs of all learners

Effective use of assessment methods

Teacher education to promote flexible instruction

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Tackling low achievement (1)

Percentage of low achieving 15-year-old students in mathematics, 2009

Data: OECD, PISA 2009 databaseUK (1): UK-ENG/WLS/NIR

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Tackling low achievement (2)

Central level measures and/or support

ISCED 2

No central measures and/or support

Numerical targets on low achievement

National level guidelines in addressing low achievement in mathematics, ISCED levels 1 and 2, 2010/11

Source: Eurydice. 9

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Tackling low achievement (3)

Early interventions at primary level Focus on individual weaknessesAdditional teacher support in classroom Evidence based policiesTargets and progress monitoring

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Improving student motivation (1)

Policy concerns related to skills shortages and the take-up of mathematics and related disciplines in higher education, 2010/11

UK (1): UK-ENG/WLS/NIR

The number of HE graduates in mathematics and related

disciplines is declining

The gender balance among HE students in these disciplines

needs to be improved

There are skills shortages in areas requiring high levels of

mathematical knowledge

Source: Eurydice.

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Improving student motivation (2)

National strategies to increase student motivation in mathematics learning, 2010/11

National strategies and centrally coordinated initiatives

No national strategy or initiative

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Improving student motivation (3)

Initiatives to cover all education levels Include a wide range of actionsFocus on all students Address the gender issue

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Science Education in Europe: National Policies, Practices and Research

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• Promoting science education

• Its organisation in schools

• Support for low achievers

• Assessment

• Teachers’ skills

Science Education in Europe: National Policies, Practices and Research

Curricular reforms introduced

• science taught in context

• various forms of active, participatory and inquiry approaches

• focus on key competences approach

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Science Education in Europe: National Policies, Practices and Research

IntegratedSeparate

subject

End of ISCED1

School autonomy

Source: Eurydice.

Integrated and separate-subject science teaching by grade (ISCED 1-2), 2010/11

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Source: OECD, PISA 2009 database.

Percentage of low-achieving 15 year-old students in science, 2009

Tackling low achievement (1)

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Tackling low achievement (2)

No specific policies for science in placeOnly two countries report clear targetsMeasures frequently decided at school

level

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B Specific initiatives for science subjects

C Support measures determined at school level

Provision of support for students in science subjects (ISCED 1 and 2), 2010/11

A General framework and national programmes for all subjects

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Tackling low achievement (3)

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Promoting science education: strategies and policies

Overall strategy exists

Specific policies exist

Source: Eurydice.

Existence of an overall national strategy for science education, 2010/11

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Promoting science education: strategies and policies

Existence of national science centres or similar institutions promoting science education, 2010/11

Source: Eurydice.

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Arrangements for standardised assessment in science

ISCED 2 ISCED 3

Standardised examinations/tests in science (ISCED 2 and 3), 2010/11

Source: Eurydice.

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Science teacher education

Strengthening teachers’ competences

School partnershipsScience centres – informal and formal

arrangementsMore initiatives to change offer for

continuing professional development than for initial teacher education

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Thank you for your attention

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