OECD Thematic Review on Migrant Education: Methodology

The main working methods for the thematic review on migrant education will be desk-based research, data collection and country visits. Three meetings of experts will guide the review process. The review process constitutes three phases, each with specific tasks and intermediate outputs.

1.  Conceptual development

The first phase develops the conceptual framework for the project through desk-based research. It focuses on scoping the activity and defining key policy questions, developing the policy analysis framework and providing guidelines for countries to prepare national background documents on their approaches to migrant education. In addition, a literature review will be conducted to provide an overview on what works in migrant education. A communication strategy will be developed to disseminate findings effectively.

2.  Data collection

The second phase establishes a firm knowledge base on country practices in migrant education. Quantitative and qualitative information will be collected on key policy interventions to promote education outcomes of immigrant students. Participating countries will provide country background reports and/or fill in a questionnaire allowing to compare national developments in migrant education. "Fact-finding visits" will be conducted in a number of countries to review existing policies and practices. 

3.  Analysis and development of policy recommendations

Building on the information collected through country background reports and fact-finding missions, the third phase will identify:

i) critical success factors and conditions under which immigrant students succeed;

ii) obstacles for immigrant students who are under-achievers, early school leavers or non-enrollers upon arrival; and

iii) policy approaches and practices that are likely to be effective in capitalising on success factors and which address the obstacles.

Preliminary conclusions will be tested during "policy visits" to countries to feed into individual country notes  and the final synthesis report.