Descy, Pascaline; Tessaring, Manfred
Third report on vocational training research in Europe
Synthesis report
Luxembourg: EUR-OP, 2005 (Cedefop Reference series; 61)
Available in DE, EN and FR
Table of contents

Descy, Pascaline; Tessaring, Manfred (eds.)
Third report on vocational training research in Europe
Background report ( 3 volumes)
Luxembourg: EUR-OP, 2004 (Cedefop Reference series; 54, 57, 58)
Available in EN
Contents

Descy, Pascaline; Tessaring, Manfred
Third report on vocational training research in Europe
Executive Summary
Luxembourg: EUR-OP, 2005 (Cedefop Reference series)
Forthcoming in DE, EN and FR
 

Ours is an age where the value of education and training is acknowledged worldwide. Cedefop's third report on vocational education and training research, ‘The value of learning’, investigates the contribution of education and training to individual, economic and social capital. It also discusses how evaluation can become a tool for devising and delivering quality opportunities for learning, throughout life. It focuses specifically on evaluation of reforms and measures and on the impacts of education and training for society, individuals and enterprises. 

Find more about the latest report on vocational training research and order it online: ETV Research Laboratory.

Table of contents (synthesis report)

      Preface by Johan van Rens
      Introduction

      Part 1 – Understanding evaluation
         1. Introduction to evaluation approaches and functions
         2. Philosophies and theories of evaluation
         3. Evaluation traditions and cultures
         4. Standards for evaluation 

      Part 2 – Approaches and methods of evaluation and impact research
         1. Approaches and methods to programme evaluation
         2. Approaches and methods of impact research

      Part 3 – Evaluation of education and training in a changing European context
         1. Changing contexts and drivers for change for education and training
         2. Principles, models and practices for evaluating education and training systems
         3. Policy evaluation and policy learning in action
         4. Combating unemployment and exclusion from the labour market: does training work?

      Part 4 – Impact and benefits of education and training
         1. The determinants of economic growth at macro and regional level
         2. Non-material benefits and externalities of education and training
         3. The significance of education and training for company performance
         4. Individual benefits of education and training 

      Annexes
         1. Key terms related to evaluation and impact of education and training
         2. Comparing microeconometric methods of evaluation: a numeric example
         3. Changing contexts and drivers for change for education and training - detailed tables and figures
         4. Selected results and recommendations from the OECD thematic review on adult learning
         5. Evaluation association in Europe
         6. Journals on evaluation in Europe and beyond alphabetical list 

      Bibliography

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Contents of the background report

Volume 1:
Impact of education and training 

This volume addresses research work to assess the material and non-material impacts of education, training and skills at macroeconomic and regional level, and the impacts on enterprises and individuals. The picture is completed by case studies on the impact of active labour-market policies (ALMP) with training components, in terms of both effects for the economy and for social integration.

Volume 2:
The foundations of evaluation and impact research

This volume gathers contributions on philosophical roots, types and standards of evaluation and impact research. It also discusses tools and methods for evaluating education and training systems and reforms. Competence measurement as well as designing and selecting key competences in an international context are also addressed.

Volume 3:
Evaluation of systems and programmes

This publication gathers contributions on recent evaluations of education and training systems and reforms. The case studies provide an insight in current evaluation practices in several European countries but also assess the results of international and EU-supported programmes and initiatives.

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