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Strategic Review of the EDUCO ProgramJuly 2010Several comments must be made about Table 6:The column for Option A has “0” in all rows because it is being judged relative to the current situation.A rapid analysis and count of “+” versus “-” symbols can lead to the conclusion that the research teamhas a strong, implicit preference for Option D. Concluding this would be inappropriate for two reasons.First, recommending preferred options was not part of the purpose of this review—the decision of theroute to take is an issue that Salvadorans need to resolve. (It is, however, important to mention that theimpression of the research team is that the stakeholders interviewed and the focus groups used to probeopinion are coming to the conclusion that Option D is the one that has the fewest problems, and the onethat shows a way toward the future, despite its high design and implementation costs. This is somethingthat the research team perceived between the time the first draft of this paper was submitted and thisversion.) Second, the symbols cannot be added up without weighting the scores in the rows and eachstakeholder will have a different weight for the rows. Briefly, the table shows that this option, althoughit has good benefits, also has relatively high costs (although the net benefit is positive). However,precisely because the option has so many “+” and “-”, this is an intellectually appealing option, and itshould stimulate careful examination and dialogue. (Which it has done, as can be demonstrated betweenthe submission of the first draft of this paper and this version.)ConclusionBased on the general questions posed for this review, the research team presents some answers:Is EDUCO, as it has been designed and is currently being implemented, an effective means for ElSalvador to attain its educational goals for 2014 and beyond?The response apparently is that it is not, but neither is the CDE system. Neither the ACE nor CDE systemsare sufficient for attaining the expected goals. There are problems of governance and managementacross the sector, and especially in rural and low income areas. A bifurcated system has inefficienciesand is bureaucratically burdensome and does not create a sense of a “shared destiny” as a nation. However,EDUCO represents three historical achievements that many countries seek:• A culture of community participation as a social norm.• Accountability to parents.• Educational opportunities for the poorest in the population.It is extremely important that no solution squander these achievements, or fail to appreciate the enormoussocial capital that has been invested to produce these achievements.46
Strategic Review of the EDUCO ProgramJuly 2010What changes would be necessary for El Salvador to be in a position to meet its educational goals,especially for the neediest groups?The changes necessary are included in the array of options that have been presented in this paper. Insummary, it would be necessary to:• Eliminate parallel systems and implement changes in all schools to make the system effectiveand to create a greater sense of shared destiny among citizens.• Improve the quality of professional leadership of school principals.• Change the employment conditions for teachers and unify the payment system.• Establish a transparent, effective performance evaluation system for teachers, principals, andsupervisors.• Establish a transparent and effective system for mutual accountability among all stakeholders:teachers, principals, parents, and officials.• Ensure that the model clearly distinguishes between governance and management, and that thelatter of these be professionalized.As has been proposed in this paper, there are a variety of options to be considered. The research teamonly focused on some of them, in particular those that truly have an overall impact on improving education.On a final note, policy changes are times of great opportunity and, at the same time, of great uncertainty.Policy changes can be developed using knowledge and lessons from the past to improve the future. Atthe same time, policy changes can be detrimental to stakeholders directly involved in the system. Effectivepolicy changes attempt to extract clear lessons from the past, to continue what is good, and changewhat should reasonably be changed. With any policy change, it is not enough to have the “ideal” policy;its effective, consistent implementation is also necessary.The changes in EDUCO would directly affect over 55% of rural schools in El Salvador. They wouldaffect the lives of over 8,000 teachers, 300,000 students, 2,200 ACEs, and their communities. The socialinvestment in EDUCO is significant; citizens have donated over two million hours of volunteer laboreach year in all parts of the country to improve their schools and lives. This social capital is a valuablegood and should be respected.Any policy and experience brings with it the opportunity to learn, grow, and improve. This was themain factor that encouraged the research team that conducted this review. (Our intention has been tocontribute to the process of continuous improvement in El Salvador. We hope that it is useful for that.)47
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