Commission carries out quality assessments of non-higher education in the European Union
The European Commission has undertaken assessments of the quality of education other than higher education in the European Union, following a Treaty article which requires the Community to contribute to the development of quality education by encouraging cooperation between the Member States. Action by the Community in the field of non-higher education during 1995 included the following activities: - Meetings of senior education officials from the Member States; - Action 3.1 of Chapter III of the SOCRATES programme requires the Commission to organize an exchange of information and experience, with priority to quality in teaching. In 1995 two studies were commissioned, which will lead to action in 1997; - Research into the assessment of the quality of education undertaken through the Targeted Socio-Economic Research (TSER) programme. The results of these activities have shown that assessment of the quality of education can involve a variety of target publics and pursue aims which are different but complementary. Existing assessment schemes are based on three elements: self-assessment of schools, external assessment, and the drafting of reports to address particular questions. The preparatory work has indicated that there is potential for added value in Community-level action, and the example of cooperation in higher education has shown the benefits of Community cooperation in this field. The Commission intends to step up the preparatory work in this area during 1996, with the intention of starting pilot actions in 1997.