Policy Pointers for the Implementation of Learning Outcomes

Cedefop is developing policy pointers to support the transformation of intended into achieved learning outcomes. The recommendations are based on a study examining this process in ten European countries.

Learning outcomes provide infor­ma­ti­on on what indi­vi­du­als should know, under­stand and be able to do after com­ple­ting a learning process. Since 2004, the learning outcomes approach has been central to the design of European education and training reforms.

The Cedefop study “The shift to Learning Outcomes: rhetoric or reality?” examines the process from intended to achieved learning outcomes in initial voca­tio­nal education and training (IVET) across Europe. It focuses on four key dimen­si­ons of imple­men­ta­ti­on. The aim is to better address future chal­lenges and make targeted use of existing potential. 3s is a con­sor­ti­um partner in the study, with Karin Luomi-Messerer con­tri­bu­ting as a key team member.

Building on the findings of the analysis, Cedefop has for­mu­la­ted policy pointers that can support the trans­for­ma­ti­on of intended into achieved learning outcomes.

The recom­men­da­ti­ons are to:

• balance system coherence and imple­men­ta­ti­on flexibility;
• build shared under­stan­ding through pro­fes­sio­nal dialogue;
• provide acce­s­si­ble and adaptable imple­men­ta­ti­on support;
• build inter­pre­ti­ve capacity among VET practitioners;
• use quality assurance as a driver of con­ti­nuous improvement;
• streng­then stake­hol­ders par­ti­ci­pa­ti­on in learning outcomes governance.

The full article on the Policy Pointers can be found here.

More infor­ma­ti­on on the findings of the Cedefop study can be found here.