Second Survey School and WOW.pdf

WORKING GROUP: PRINCIPLES AND CRITERIA
II. Survey
II. Working Group: Principles and Criteria
II.1. General remarks
Benchmark' is an Indicator which allows us to compare two ore more systems in regard to
aspects of e.g. success, outcome or costs.
Benchmarks as independent variables
In this sense Benchmarks are independent variables from which one can make a prognoses to
a dependent variable. It is necessary to show, the statistical influence of the benchmarks to
the dependent variable: The higher the independent variable (e.g. school) the better the
dependent variable (e.g. employability).
The EU Lisbon education benchmarks (Example): The benchmarks higher number of students
finishing secondary two or higher MTK Skills are interpreted as independent variables for the
dependent variable “more competitive education system”. The logic is: The higher the
participation the better the system (but, what is a good system? A system which “produces”
independent characters or people with a broad cultural knowledge or a system with no youth
unemployment or, or,…).
The question we discussed in Vienna was: are these benchmarks also indicators for a better
transition to the employment marked or the vocational or higher education field. We made
two conclusions. First: It seems to be a misunderstanding if on tries to make a conclusion form
the benchmarks to the (independent variable) “successful transition”. And Second: It is not
possible to draw substantial conclusions from the EU Lisbon education benchmarks to the
effectiveness of the guidance system or counselling.
If the Instrument of Benchmark should be used in regard to guidance or counselling the
benchmarks should be directly drawn from this field: “The more guidance the better the
transition” or “if the counsellors are well educated the youngsters will have more substantial
decisions”. But if one will describe such benchmarks (e.g. “more guidance” or “better educated
counselling personal”) he has to show the evidence of the described effects. And: he will have
the same Problems like the EU with there educational benchmarks: There are other influences
which have a strong impact (for example: we can have in one country a high participation in
secondary two and huge problems in respect to the outcomes of the educational system ant
the transition to wow.
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