International Trends in Data-Driven Education Policy: Scientific Research and Education

Programme Description

The 21st century is developing novel possibilities in education data analysis and novel scientific research with profound implications for education policies. Data from PISA, TIMSS and PIRLS studies have stimulated international comparisons and national research. Economics of education and social studies have benefited from increased data availability and from modern counterfactual impact evaluation methods. Cognitive psychology, neurosciences and other scientific areas have provided educators with a better knowledge on the ways in which we learn, memorize, assimilate knowledge, and develop skills. In these areas, studies are shedding light on successful and unsuccessful education programs and helped dismissing some speculative educational beliefs. This expert meeting brought together leading scientists in the above-mentioned areas, active experts from educational data policy and influential policy decision makers. Discussions were initiated by leading experts with summary reports on their fields. They were complemented by round-table presentations of policy experiences, followed by general discussions. Sessions were held under the Chatham House rule. This meeting will be followed some time later by a School of Transnational Governance Executive Training Seminar for a larger audience, including high-level education policy officers, policy decision makers, academic researchers. and others. Participants at the first event – the current High-Level Expert Meeting – are invited to cooperate in the preparation of the future Executive Training Seminar.