Dr. Maike Koops DG EAC-B3 – Adult Education; « Grundtvig » maike.koops@ec.europa.eu

1. Improving quality in the Adult Learning sector: challenges and next steps on European level Dr. Maike Koops DG EAC-B3 – Adult Education; « Grundtvig » maike.koops@ec.europa.eu European Commission

2. 1. Why quality in the adult learning sector? Quality in adult learning: EU-Policy context National developments in quality in adult learning 4. A few conclusions: last outcomes and next steps on European level OUTLINE

3. 1. Why quality in the adult learning sector? 357.5 mil. or 71.8% are over 25 yrs 80 mil. low-skilled more than 23 million Europeans unemployed 2 million retire every year (20 million over next decade) All need LLL but only 9.5% participate (4.3% over 50 yrs, <2% in parts of south) 3

4. 1. Why quality in the adult learning sector?(2) AL considered a vital contribution to social cohesion, citizenship and economic development Fiscal constraints – value for money System-level governance reforms Professional approaches on management mobility of learners – in VET and HE 4

5. 2. Quality in adult learning: EU-Policy context EU - Policy context – VET Copenhagen process / Brueges: strong quality focus Instruments ECVET; EQF Recommendation on the European Quality Assurance Reference Framework (EQARF) (2009) EQAVET 2010 – network/community of practice to support the implementation of EQARF EU policy context – Guidance Work Package 4 of ELGPN (European Lifelong Guidance Policy Network) focuses on the thematic action Quality Assurance & Evidence in Guidance to implement the recommendations of the Council Resolutions on Lifelong Guidance (2004; 2008) EU policy context – HE 2005 - European Standards & Guidelines on QA in HE adopted by HE Ministers in Bergen 2006 - Recommendation from the E. Parliament & Council: European Register of QA Agencies (EQAR -2008) 2009 - first Triennial Report from the Commission on QA systems in HEIs identified a need for: more efficient QA systems 5

6. 2. Quality in adult learning: EU-Policy context (2) EU policy context – ET2020: The second of strategic: Improving the quality & efficiency of education & training in the interests of ensuring the acquisition of key competences by everyone 6

7. 3. National developments in quality in adult learning Professional development of AL staff: • regulations; • qualifications requirements; • profiles Approaches to QA: • systems level approaches – at least 15 countries - Nordic countries, AT, DE, IE & UK most advanced • accreditation of providers – at least 15 countries • linking QA to monitoring & evaluation – many challenges in many countries 7

8. 4. A few conclusions: last outcomes and next steps on European level • Action Plan on Adult Learning 2007: Priority Action 2: to improve the quality of provision • Adult learning staff identified as “the key determinants” of quality • Study on Key Competences • Workshop on “Improving quality in the adult learning sector” • Budapest Conference on the finalisation of the Action Plan (03/11) • Future priority should be given to: “Improving professional development in order to ensure and maintain the high quality of teaching staff in the adult learning sector” • Planned: • Expert group on Quality in Adult Learning • Study: Provider Quality 8

9. Thank you all for your attention! 9