Background Information

[last update - 23 March 2004]

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Essential Reading

• Issues for discussion
• Education, Diversity, Social Cohesion and "Social Capital"  Robert D. Putnam,  Peter and Isabel Malkin Professor of Public Policy, Harvard University
• Theme 1. Raising Performance Levels for All
  • Establishing Standards and Monitoring Educational Quality:  Tuula Haatainen, Minister of Education, Finland
  • Developing Effective Support Systems and Devolving Responsibility to the Frontline:  Bálint Magyar, Minister of Education, Hungary
• Education for Democratic Citizenship
  • Ms. Maria van der Hoeven, Minister of Education, Culture and Science, Netherlands
• Theme 2: Improving Teacher Supply and Effectiveness
  • Improving Teacher Supply: Ulla Tørnáes, Minister of Education, Denmark
  • Improving Teacher Supply and Effectiveness (PowerPoint presentation)
• Policy Brief: Raising the Quality of Educational Performance at School
• Policy Brief: The Quality of the Teaching Workforce
• Policy Brief: Education and Equity
• Policy Brief: Lifelong Learning
• Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD (BIAC) - Discussion Paper
• Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD (TUAC)  - Discussion Paper
• Chair on Consultations with BIAC and TUAC
• OECD Observer Special Education Issue (2004 Education Spotlight)

  • "Building the knowledge society" By Noel Dempsey, Minister for Education and Science, Ireland, and Chair of the 2004 Meeting of OECD Education Ministers
  • "Quality education: Is the sky the limit?" By Barry McGaw, Director, OECD Education Directorate
  • "Teaching: Restoring its class" By Phillip McKenzie, Principal Administrator, OECD Education Directorate

  are among the articles available in the 2004 Education Spotlight

Further Reading

• Completing the Foundation for Lifelong Learning - An OECD Survey of Upper Secondary Schools

Changing economic and social conditions are giving education a central role in the success of individuals and nations. As the final stage of formal education for the majority of students in OECD countries, upper secondary education is a crucial link. How successful are upper secondary schools in meeting the demands of modern societies and what are the main obstacles that they perceive in preparing young adults for life and a longer and increasingly complex transition from education to employment?

• Education at a Glance 2003

 The focus of the 2003 edition of Education at a Glance is on the quality of learning outcomes, the policy levers and contextual factors that shape these outcomes, and the broader private and social returns that accrue to investments in education.

• Education Policy Analysis 2003

Improving the quality of education is a key policy objective in OECD countries. Major education reforms are underway around the world in response to demands to make lifelong learning opportunities available to all. Education Policy Analysis provides an opportunity to reflect on, and learn from, this rich international experience.

• OECD Work on Education - Brochure

Strategic objectives:  The Directorate for Education has six strategic objectives. They were developed from emerging policy concerns identified by the chief executive officers of the Education Ministries in OECD countries in preparation for a meeting in February 2003. The various programmes of work undertaken by the OECD Directorate for Education have since been reorganised under these objectives, and their governing bodies have redeployed some resources to achieve a greater focus. The objectives are:

• Catalogue of Recent Publications