Questionnaire on the strategic framework for education and training (ET 2020)

May 14, 2014
The European Commission is undertaking a mid-term stocktaking of the Strategic Framework for European Cooperation in Education and Training (ET 2020) for the period 2009-2014.The second cycle of the framework is completed in 2014 and the third one will begin in 2015. The objective of the consultation is to collect views on main impacts of ET 2020 to date and remaining challenges, on the usefulness of OMC and on key priorities for 2015-2017. The results of this survey will be used to inform the design of the ETYP (Education, Training and Youth Forum) in October 2014 and to inform the Commission Staff Working Document on the mid-term review.

Link to the questionnaire:
http://www.ghkint.com/surveys/et2020/stakeholder-questionnaire-et2020.doc

Background
Education and Training 2020 (ET2020) is the strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training. It provides common strategic objectives for Member States to further develop their educational and training systems. The framework takes into consideration the whole spectrum of education and training systems from a lifelong learning perspective, covering all levels and contexts (including non-formal and informal learning).
The strategic framework defines the following four Strategic Objectives:

    Making lifelong learning and mobility a reality
    Improving the quality and efficiency of education and training
    Promoting equity, social cohesion and active citizenship
    Enhancing creativity and innovation, including entrepreneurship, at all levels of education and training

These strategic objectives are supported during the period 2010-2020 by indicators and by reference levels for European average performance (‘European benchmarks’). The benchmarks help to measure at European level the overall progress made and to show what has been achieved.
Member States agreed on the following five benchmarks:

    Adult participation in lifelong learning: By 2020, an average of at least 15 % of adults should participate in lifelong learning
    Low achievers in basic skills: By 2020, the share of low-achieving 15-years olds in reading, mathematics and science should be less than 15 %
    Tertiary level attainment: By 2020, the share of 30-34 year olds with tertiary educational attainment should be at least 40 %
    Early leavers from education and training: By 2020, the share of early leavers from education and training should be less than 10 %.
    Early childhood education: By 2020, at least 95 % of children between 4 years old and the age for starting compulsory primary education should participate in early childhood education

The Open Method of Coordination (OMC) is an instrument for cooperation between MS in the policy areas where the scope for EU legislation is limited. The policy areas fall within the national competence. EU holds a role of coordination, shared or supporting competence.
The OMC process consists of:

    Jointly identifying and defining objectives to be achieved (adopted by the Council)
    Jointly established measuring instruments (statistics, indicators, guidelines)
    Benchmarking, i.e. comparison of the Member States' performance and exchange of best practices (monitored by the Commission).

Soft law instruments can be adopted - but are not necessary. Binding measures cannot be adopted. No sanctions can be imposed for non-compliance.