Cedefop officially launch a new self-reflection tool for policy makers, led by Dr. Paul Downes

At Cedefop’s international conference, Policy Learning Forum: VET (Vocational Education and Training) as a solution to leaving education early (Thessaloniki, May 16-17, 2017), Cedefop officially launched its Europe-wide VET toolkit for tackling early leaving. This included its Self-reflection tool for policy makers based on structural indicators, developed by Dr. Paul Downes, Director of the Educational Disadvantage Centre, Institute of Education, DCU. Dr. Downes was also a member of the expert advisory group to Cedefop for the whole VET toolkit. Cedefop is one of the EU’s decentralised agencies, it supports development of European Vocational Education and Training (VET) policies and contributes to their implementation. The agency facilitates cooperation between the European Commission, EU Member States and the social partners in this area. At the plenary session, Cedefop evaluation tools and frameworks for policy impact analysis, Paul Downes gave an invited presentation, Self-reflection tool for policy makers based on structural indicators to identify the strengths and weaknesses of policies put in place. During the subsequent workshop session, participants were invited to use the self-reflection structural indicators tool. In response to the presentations, the subsequent plenary panel discussion, Creating and strengthening a culture of education policy evaluation in Europe (and beyond), took place. Cristian Aedo, The World Bank, Stefanie Ledermaier, Eurofound, Mary Kyriazopoulou, European agency for special needs and inclusive education and Jari Matti Riiheläinen, Eurydice were the participants. James Calleja, Cedefop Director, closed the conference with a presentation, Cedefop vision: VET as a solution to leaving education early. Dr. Downes’ presentation can be accessed here: The Cedefop toolkits, including the structural indicators self-reflection tool for policy makers, can be accessed here: http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/publications-and-resources/toolkits/vet… See also: http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/events-and-projects/events/policy-learn…