Search

Improvements in workforce skills are essential for European countries to attain higher economic growth and to compete effectively on product markets. Literature indicates a positive relationship between levels of education and productivity growth. This report builds on and expands this body of research in two ways: (1) It investigates the differential impact of various skill types--higher (academic), upper-intermediate vocational, lower-intermediate vocational, lower-intermediate general, and low--on labour productivity; and (2) It accounts for the stock of uncertified skills (i.e. those built through training). The analysis is carried out in six European Union Member States--Denmark, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom--representing different modes of vocational education and training (VET) and those for which data were available. The analysis suggests that general and vocational skills complement each other and that the effect of certified skills on productivity is stronger when certified skills are reinforced by training. This study underlines that learning in the workplace, both in initial and continuing VET, makes a fundamental contribution to productivity, and comes to support policy efforts to develop apprenticeship and adult learning. The following annex is included: (1) Overview of research methods used in the study. [This publication is the result of a team effort reflecting the work of a research consortium of Geoff Mason, Dawn Holland, Iana Liadze, Rebecca Riley, Ana Rincon-Aznar, and Mary O'Mahony, and their aids Tatiana Fic, Rachel Whitworth, Yasheng Maimaiti, and Fei Peng. This work was carried out under contract number 2009-0216/AO/RPA/GUTCHPDE/VET-Macroeconomic-benefits/010/0.]

In 2015, for the first time in its history, PISA (the Programme for International Student Assessment) asked teachers to describe the various aspects of their working environment and teaching practices. This paper examines how teacher, student, and school characteristics are related to science teachers' satisfaction in 19 PISA-participating countries and economies. The findings show that the most satisfied science teachers tend to be those who are initially motivated to become teachers. The results also highlight the positive relationship between science teachers' satisfaction and teacher collaboration, good disciplinary climate in science classes, availability of school resources, and the opportunity to participate in professional-development activities.

This study analyzed why child poverty rates were so much higher in Great Britain than in Western Germany during the 1990s, focusing on why child poverty exit rates were lower and child poverty entry rates were higher in Great Britain. Researchers used a form of decomposition analysis comparing cross-nationally the prevalence of events that triggered poverty (changes in household composition, household labor market attachment, and labor earnings) and the chances of making a poverty transition conditional on experiencing a trigger event. Results found that the latter type of difference was the most important for both poverty exits and poverty entries. The findings reflected differences between the German and British welfare states, with the German one providing a greater cushion against adverse events and better reinforcement of positive events. Differences in the prevalence rates of trigger events also played a role. A notable example was the greater risk of job loss in Great Britain compared to Western Germany. (Contains 29 references.) (SM)

This combination report/guide summarizes practical "how-to" information on the development and operation of national training boards that was gathered in a series of case studies of the effectiveness of national training boards in Canada, Singapore, Sweden, and the United Kingdom and in studies of training boards in Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Germany, and South Africa. The introductory chapter describes the research on which the guide is based, discusses common themes affecting the quality of training in the countries studied, and examines the rationale for training programs. Chapter 2 summarizes the subsequent discussion of the effectiveness of national training boards in the form of a checklist and guidelines for use by countries considering establishing a national training board. Chapters 3-9 synthesize research findings into practical recommendations dealing with the following aspects of initiating and operating national training boards: enabling legislation, training board composition, training board structure, financial resources, delivery of training, institutional planning and operations, and testing and certification. Chapters 10 and 11, which are more analytical than the chapters preceding them, examine the perception and images of national training boards and lessons learned from the case studies. Contains 59 references. (MN)

The combination of work and study has been hailed as crucial to ensure that youth develop the skills required on the labour market so that transitions from school to work are shorter and smoother. This paper fills an important gap in availability of internationally-comparable data. Using the 2012 Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC), it draws a comprehensive picture of work and study in 23 countries/regions. Crucially, it decomposes the total share of working students by the context in which they work (VET [vocational education and training], apprenticeships or private arrangements) and assesses the link between field of study and students' work. The paper also assesses how the skills of students are used in the workplace compared to other workers and identifies the socio-demographic factors and the labour market institutions that increase the likelihood of work and study. Finally, while it is not possible to examine the relationship between work and study and future labour market outcomes at the individual level, some aggregate correlations are unveiled.

This paper presents the first results of a project initiated in 2004 by the OECD in collaboration with Eurostat and the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, and aimed at developing a regular and internationally comparable production system of indicators on the careers and mobility of doctorate holders. A first data collection was launched in September 2005, from which the results for seven countries are presented here. These data shed light on the main demographic, educational, labour market and mobility patterns of doctoral graduates. They also mark some progress in the understanding of both the measurement issues and patterns of international mobility, notably by the use of qualitative indicators such as the intentions or reasons for mobility. The results show in particular that the share of doctorate holders in the population or labour force is two or three times larger in Germany and Switzerland than in Australia, Canada and the United States. In these five countries, women represent only one-quarter to one-third of doctorate holders. The United States has an older population of doctorate holders than the other countries analysed in the paper and this population is still aging, as is also the case in Canada. Unemployment rates of doctorate holders remain low, but are relatively higher in natural sciences and in engineering. There are important salary differences between men and women and across sectors, especially in the United States. In the United States, as well as in Portugal and Argentina, salary is one of the main reasons why doctoral graduates are dissatisfied with their employment situation. There is a high share of foreign doctorate holders in Switzerland and also a higher share of foreign-born doctorate holders in Canada and Australia than in the United States. Many foreigners, however, come to work to the United States having been trained for research abroad and this trend has grown stronger in recent years. On the other hand, very few doctorate holders from the United States are internationally mobile. Among mobile young Canadian citizens, three-quarters choose the United States as their next destination. (Data tables are annexed. Contains 4 footnotes, 13 figures, 1 chart and 35 tables.)

The "Guidelines for Quality Provision in Cross-Border Higher Education" were developed and adopted to support and encourage international cooperation and enhance the understanding of the importance of quality provision in cross-border higher education. The purposes of the "Guidelines" are to protect students and other stakeholders from low-quality provision and disreputable providers (that is, degree and accreditation mills) as well as to encourage the development of quality cross-border higher education that meets human, social, economic and cultural needs. The "Guidelines" are not legally binding and member countries are expected to implement them as appropriate in their national context. Based on a survey about the main recommendations of the "Guidelines", this report monitors the extent to which Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries and a few non-member countries comply with its recommendations. The Survey was sent out in June 2010 to all OECD countries. The main conclusion of the survey is that (responding) countries report a high level of compliance with the Guidelines recommendations. On average, responding OECD countries conform to 72% of the main recommendations made to governments, tertiary education institutions, and quality assurance and accreditation agencies. The level of compliance decreases to 67% when recommendations to student bodies are included, but the level of missing information, and thus uncertainty about actual compliance, increases significantly. Appended are: (1) Country Overview of Compliance Levels with the Guidelines for Different Stakeholders; (2) Country Overview of Compliance Levels with Six Key Objectives of the Guidelines; (3) Methodology; (4) Country Answers to the Survey; (5) Overview of National Contact Points; and (6) Guidelines for Quality Provision in Cross-Border Higher Education. (Contains 2 tables, 12 figures and 1 footnote.)

Knowledge of the environment has grown to such an extent that information technology (IT) is essential to make sense of the available data. An example of this is remote sensing by satellite. In recent years this field has grown in importance and remote sensing is used for a range of uses including the automatic survey of wheat yields in North America, the examination of the rain forests in South America, the observance of extension measures in Europe, and the examination of land use in Germany. This paper describes different aspects of remote sensing by satellite using relevant examples. Methods of using remote sensing in environmental education at the upper secondary level and the university level are outlined. Key principles, methods of using satellite data in class, modular structure, and future developments are discussed. Contains 11 references. (JRH)

The challenge of funding a high quality higher education system, ensuring it has the capacity to help meet the increasing demand for high level skills in our economy and the aspirations of our students, has been an ongoing concern for successive Australian governments over many years. This paper reviews the findings and recommendations of significant reviews of Australia's higher education funding system from the 1988 Dawkins white paper through to the 2014 "Review of the Demand Driven Funding System." It summarises the challenges identified and responses proposed across that period as well as some recent international literature about higher education reform. What is clear from the survey of major reviews from 1988 to the present is the similarity of issues that were of concern to governments of the day. Successive governments have sought to build and fund a higher education system to meet the need for high level skills and innovative research for the Australian economy. The challenge for all governments has been how to enable greater numbers of students to access the benefits higher education offers--in terms of employment, earnings, social and cultural opportunities--while ensuring the system remains fair, high quality and affordable for both individuals and taxpayers. The number of domestic higher education students has more than doubled since 1989, reaching just over a million in 2014. International students comprised another 350,000 students in 2014. As student numbers have grown, they have come from more diverse social, economic and academic backgrounds. The number of providers and their diversity has also grown, with around 20 new public universities since the late 1980s and the emergence of significant numbers of non-university providers. The proportion of the Australian working age population with a bachelor degree or higher qualification has tripled since 1989 to just over 25 per cent. Direct Australian Government funding for teaching, learning and research has grown both in absolute and real terms, rising from $3.2 billion in 1989 to $15.4 billion in 2014, more than doubling when adjusted for inflation. Australia is not unique in facing this growth and higher education systems around the world are increasingly moving from elite to mass systems, and beyond to universal systems.

This paper discusses the problems faced by teachers of business German, the possible goals of business German courses, and the design of an effective textbook to integrate business content and language skills. Special reference is made to the two-semester business German course offered by the University of Southern California (USC). The major goal of the USC course is to convey the basic background about the business world in German-speaking countries to students, focusing on culture and the presentation of specific contextualized content with immediate applicability in the target culture. The textbook designed for the course is, except for footnotes, entirely in German, and features chapters organized around topics. The chapter contents facilitate an interactive, communication-orientated approach by means of authentic text materials and coordinated activities. The vocabulary presented in the texts is cross-referenced with an encyclopedic listing of business terms in German. (MDM)

This paper addresses how German-language teachers in the United States can use broadcasts of the German language television, "Deutsche Welle," in their classrooms. Emphasis is placed on the knowledge gained about Germany and the opportunity to not only hear, but also see, German as it is really spoken in everyday life. Care must taken to select programs where the student must understand the German, not just see the picture, to understand what is happening, and programs must be selected that are not too out of date or boring to students. Once programs have been selected, a sequence of program presentation for maximum student effectiveness is suggested. The greatest value of the Deutsche Welle programs is the challenge that they offer the teacher for classroom use. (NAV)

The Teacher Education Study in Mathematics or TEDS-M is a study conducted under the aegis of the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA). The lead research center for the study is the International Study Center at Michigan State University (ISC/MSU). The ISC/MSU worked from 2006 to 2011 with the International Study Center at the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and the National Research Coordinators (NRCs) in 17 countries to produce this study. TEDS-M received funding from IEA, the United States of America National Science Foundation, and the collaborating countries. TEDS-M focused on how teachers are prepared to teach mathematics in primary and lower-secondary school, and studied the variation in the nature and impact of teacher education programs within and across countries. TEDS-M is the first cross-national study to provide data on the knowledge that future primary and lower-secondary school teachers have acquired in their mathematics teacher education. The key research questions for the study focused on the relationships between teacher education policies, institutional practices, and future teacher mathematics and pedagogy knowledge. Individual chapters contain figure, tables, footnotes and references. [For related reports, see "TEDS-M 2008 User Guide for the International Database. Supplement 1: International Version of the TEDS-M Questionnaires" (ED542382), "TEDS-M 2008 User Guide for the International Database. Supplement 2: National Adaptations of the TEDS-M Questionnaires" (ED542381), "TEDS-M 2008 User Guide for the International Database. Supplement 3: Variables Derived from the Educator and Future Teacher Data" (ED542385), and "TEDS-M 2008 User Guide for the International Database. Supplement 4: TEDS-M Released Mathematics and Mathematics Pedagogy Knowledge Assessment Items" (ED542384).] [This paper was edited with Maria Teresa Tatto. Contributors include Alena Becker, Ralph Carstens, Jean Dumais, Sabine Meinck, Plamen Mirazchiyski.]

This supplement contains all adaptations made by countries to the international version of the TEDS-M questionnaires under careful supervision of and approval by the TEDS-M International Study Center at Michigan State University. This information provides users of the TEDS-M International Database with a guide to evaluate the availability of internationally comparable data for use in secondary analyses. The adaptations to questionnaires are presented in four sections: Section 1: Institutional Program Questionnaire; Section 2: Educator Questionnaire; Section 3: Future Teacher Questionnaire (Parts A, B, and D); and Section 4: Adaptations to questions about education levels (ISCED classification). Each section contains adaptations specific to individual education systems followed by general or common cultural adaptations and variables. The listed adaptations include questions that countries were required to adapt, questions that were not administered, and questions that countries modified to suit their national context. [For the main report, "TEDS-M 2008 User Guide for the International Database," see ED542383. For related reports, see "TEDS-M 2008 User Guide for the International Database. Supplement 1: International Version of the TEDS-M Questionnaires" (ED542382), "TEDS-M 2008 User Guide for the International Database. Supplement 3: Variables Derived from the Educator and Future Teacher Data" (ED542385), and "TEDS-M 2008 User Guide for the International Database. Supplement 4: TEDS-M Released Mathematics and Mathematics Pedagogy Knowledge Assessment Items" (ED542384).] [This paper was edited with Maria Teresa Tatto.]

Is the United States getting it wrong when it comes to educating tomorrow's innovators in critical fields? It has been known for years that the only way to compete globally in information technology, engineering, nanotechnology, robotics and other fields is to give students the best educational opportunities possible. But do individuals have a successful formula when it comes to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education? In this report, the authors challenge the nation's approach to STEM education and argue that reforms are urgently needed to better match the talents of students, the needs of employers, and its goals. (Contains 19 tables, 42 figures, and 623 endnotes.) [Funding for this paper was provided by the Intel Corporation. For "Refueling the U.S. Innovation Economy: Fresh Approaches to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education. Executive Summary," see ED521736.]

Based on literature and research on discussion and on educational techniques to improve discussion moderators behaviors, a training program was developed for pre- and in-service teacher educators, business and industry executives and university professors (23 to 28 hours, three and a half days). This program was tested for its effectiveness with both low inference as well as high inference observation tools in four studies. Results from these studies show that this minimal training achieved significant improvements on low inference measures of effective discussion and general communicative competence, leading to the identification and validation of effective discussion techniques for teacher training and other settings. Evaluation of the training program in the four and in additional 22 studies was very favorable. (Contains 6 figures and 10 tables.)

Cross-country evidence on student achievement might be hampered by omitted country characteristics such as language or legal differences. This paper uses cross-state variation in Germany, whose sixteen states share the same language and legal system, but pursue different education policies. The same results found previously across countries hold within Germany: Higher mean student performance is associated with central exams, private school operation, and socio-economic background, but not with spending, while higher equality of opportunity is associated with reduced tracking. In a model that pools German states with OECD countries, these fundamental determinants do not differ significantly between the two samples. (Contains 34 footnotes, 7 tables, and 10 figures.) [This report was published by the Program for Education Policy and Governance, Harvard University.]

The paper discusses rationales for simulation gaming and describes "Spiegeldorf," a socio-historical game which simulates socioeconomic conditions in early 1930 Germany and Nazi party tactics used to gain mass support. Objectives are to identify characteristic Nazi tactics and points of political ideology, describe German social classes and their fears and frustrations, analyze ways Nazism appealed to many Germans, and increase student interest in the subject and enjoyment in playing the game. Each student plays the role of a Nazi party organizer, whose goal is to convert as many people as possible. Play proceeds through choosing one of five tactics and receiving outcome cards and conversion points. With the appointment of Hitler as Chancellor of Germany, each student adds up the number of converts and ascertains the final outcome. Time allotment is 90 minutes. Materials include a game board, information sheets, conversion checklists, outcome, event, and influence cards, and a debriefing guide. Discussion analyzes the cause-and-effect relationships affecting the payoff through exploration of student feelings, explanation of strategies, and examination of concepts and principles. Evaluation criteria were historical accuracy, positive student attitudes, and an increase in student knowledge. Use of subject authorities ensured accuracy, while attitudes and knowledge were measured through observation, a questionnaire, and a posttest. Sample game materials and questionnaire results are appended. (CK)

This lesson plan, focusing on an elementary school day in Germany, is intended for use at the elementary level (grades 2-5) and requires two 30-minute class periods for implementation. The lesson plan states objectives, addresses applicable National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) standards, lists materials required, presents a rationale, provides a three step procedure for classroom implementation, suggests evaluation activities, and provides resource sheets. It contains materials dealing with culture and with people, places, and environments. (BT)

This unit of study, intended for intermediate grade students, focuses on comparing students from different cultures: Germany and the United States. The unit addresses National Social Studies Standards (NCSS) standards; presents an introduction, such as purpose/rationale; cites a recommended grade level; states objectives; provides a time allotment; lists resources needed; delineates procedures; discusses assessment; and suggests extension/enrichment activities. Appended is a student questionnaire (in English and in German), a data display of answers to the questionnaire, and notes for teachers to accompany questionnaire results. (BT)

This social studies unit about discovering Germany is intended for use with elementary students. The unit states objectives; discusses strategies and evaluation; lists materials needed; addresses national social studies and geography standards; and cites the contents. It introduces the five fundamental themes of geography: (1) location, (2) place, (3) movement, (4) environment, and (5) region. Diverse activities are suggested for elaboration of the five themes. Includes 10 resource sheets. Lists activities using mental mapping, graphic organizers, and a Venn diagram. (BT)

This study evaluates the extent to which the escalation of the labor demand, the transformation of work culture, and the diversification of the professional characteristics of the World Wide Web profession have attracted women to enter in to this new branch of information technology (IT) occupations. The study focuses on Web designers at the University of Freiburg (Germany). Specific objects are: (1) to identify the demographic and organizational profile of the participants in the Web environment in the sample university; (2) to assess the situation of men and women in the working practices (Web development, database management, graphic designing, server support, coding and programming, creation and maintenance of Web pages, content development, etc.) and working environment (computer center, administration, library, and academic departments/faculties); and (3) to explore whether there exists gender differences in educational attainment, skill equipment, and acquaintance with technological infrastructure (multimedia workstations, hardware, and software). Findings related to the Web designers are presented in the following areas: demographic profile; organizational profile; occupational profile; knowledge/subject base; task profile; skill profile in the areas of creativity, management, and technical work; gender difference in the perceived and actual application of skills; and acquaintance with the IT infrastructure. (Contains 13 references.) (MES)

This 22-country survey was conducted between 1994 and 1998. Representative samples of adults aged 16-65 were interviewed and tested at home using the same literacy tests. The main purpose of the survey was to find out how well adults use information to function in society. Another aim was to investigate the factors that influence literacy proficiency and to compare these between countries. Ten international indicators are presented that allow readers to compare the literary proficiency of Americans with that of other populations as measured on the prose literary scale; similar results are provided in quantitative scales. The findings confirm how low literacy is an important issue in all regions in all countries surveyed. On the whole, the findings show that Americans are at an average level of prose literacy performance, behind the Nordic countries and the Netherlands but on a par with adults in Australia, Canada, and Germany. Literacy proficiency is more unequally distributed in the United States and Canada than in Europe, with the most literate 25% of North Americans scoring far higher than average. "Life-long" learning programs, as well as early childhood education, more access to adult education and to information and communication technologies, and the promotion of literacy-rich environments at work, home, and in the community are proposed as solutions to improve adult literacy. The paper is divided into 3 chapters, 4 annexes, and 10 data-rich figures. (Adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse for ESL Literacy Education) (KFT)

Current trends in engineering education must accommodate the fast development of the global industrial marketplace. The well-known inertia against change in institutions of higher education will not fit for the foreseeable future. The career paths of our engineering graduates have changed and will change further, when industry moves to global playing, communications and information technology push the economy and the change from a manufacturing based economy to a more service-oriented economy is developing. The development of better international interfaces among the evermore distinct national education systems is of an increasing importance for a modern society. In Germany a number of technical universities financially supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst - DAAD) have started new programs to attract more foreign students and graduates especially in technical fields. This paper gives a survey of the current situation from the perspective of the German Assembly of Electrical Engineering Departments (Deutscher Fakultatentag fur Elektrotechnik - DFTE) and describes the actions taken by one member, the Dresden University of Technology. (Author)

Countless policy makers and researchers have flocked to observe the education systems of Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore, which are among the top five performers in the PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) 2009 reading assessment. Many visitors have been particularly impressed by the fact that these education systems succeed in embracing the social heterogeneity in their student populations that is intrinsic to large urban environments--something that many other education systems struggle to achieve. But large cities do not just pose social challenges to educators; they also offer important advantages for schools, such as a richer cultural environment, a more attractive workplace for teachers, more school choice, and better job prospects that can help to motivate students. New analyses from PISA highlight these advantages, showing that, in several countries, students from urban areas (defined here as cities with over a million inhabitants) do as well as students in PISA's top performing city-states, even if the different push and pull factors of urban environments play out very differently across countries. This paper reports that: (1) Large cities are generally educational assets: in most countries, performance improves dramatically when only the scores of students in urban areas are considered, although this is not the case in some countries, such as Belgium, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and the United States; and (2) When comparing the performance of students in large cities, students in Portugal and Israel perform as well as those in Singapore, and students in Poland perform as well as those in Hong Kong.

This paper reports that between 2008 and 2009, unemployment rates across OECD countries increased among people at all educational levels, but rose to especially troubling heights among people without an upper secondary education. In 2009, the average employment rate across OECD countries was much higher for individuals with a tertiary (i.e. higher) education--indicating a better match between the skills these people have and the skills the labour market required. Between 2008 and 2009, the earnings advantage for people with a tertiary education remained strong in OECD countries. In some countries, earnings inequality between people with a tertiary education and those without an upper secondary education widened even further.

Whether in flight from conflict, with the hope of building a better life, or to seize a social or economic opportunity, people have been crossing borders for as long as there have been borders to cross. Modern means of transportation and communication, the globalisation of the labour market, and the ageing of populations in OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries will drive migration well into the next decades. The key to maintaining social cohesion during these population movements is to integrate immigrants and their families well into their adopted countries; and education can be a powerful lever to achieve this. Based on information gathered from questionnaires distributed with the PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) 2009 assessment, the percentage of 15-year-old students with an immigrant background grew by two percentage points, on average, between 2000 and 2009 among OECD countries with comparable data. This paper reports that: (1) On average among OECD countries, the percentage of students with an immigrant background grew by two percentage points between 2000 and 2009; (2) Immigrant students represent more than 5% of the student population in 13 OECD and partner countries and economies that participated in PISA 2009; and (3) In most countries, immigrant students lag behind native students in performance; in many countries, the difference is considerable. However, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, New Zealand and Switzerland have been able to narrow, and in some cases close, this performance gap.

Appropriate format, content, and presentation of personal resumes and job application letters in German are discussed. For the resume, this includes notes on inclusion of pertinent personal data, educational background, military service, work experience, internships or continuing education, and other job-related skills. For the letter of application, the discussion addresses overall format and presentation and details the proper form of necessary components: personal mailing address; the company's address; date; salutation; opening statement; text; closure; and enclosures. Advice is offered on appropriate language style and on information that should not be included. A schematic example of letter format, formats for addresses and resume entries, and lists of useful phrases and terminology are appended. (MSE)

A brief history of the Nazi rise to power and genocide of Jews is contained in this pamphlet. The pamphlet was designed to supplement secondary social studies textbooks when it was found that most texts omit or skim over the treatment of the Jews by the Nazis. The document begins with a brief overview of historical content which the developers feel constitutes the minimum amount of information that teachers and students need to understand the meaning of the events in Germany that preceded and occurred during the Nazi era. Information is presented on unification of German states into one nation under Otto von Bismarck; Prussian militarism; social collapse following Germany's defeat in World War I; democracy during the Weimar period from 1918-1933; background of Adolph Hitler; Hitler's rise to power; and Nazi treatment of Jews. The second part of the pamphlet contains suggested learning activities and an annotated list of films and books. Activities involve students in word study, reading assignments, group and class discussions, committee work, writing exercises, role playing, arranging for and listening to class speakers, and audiovisual presentations. (Author/JR)