Conclusions and next steps

2. Conclusions and next steps Dirk Van Damme Head of CERI – OECD/EDU

3. 1. The knowledge base Some general observations • Research evidence is only one resource in the broader knowledge base • Applied, policy-oriented research, fed by policy questions, is needed (but not always rewarded) • Research is about reducing uncertainty • Mixed approaches, but general need for more longitudinal, large scale surveys • Quality of the evidence • The time issue of research SOL Conference - conclusions and next steps

4. 1. The knowledge base SOL-related • Despite cautious approach, evidence of relations is quite convincing, not undervalue findings • Evidence on role of specific pathways is perhaps more important than on general links • Issue of causality and implications for research design • Interesting observations on interaction effects • Role of individual decision-making • Role of meta-level competences: self-control, planning, life-course arrangement, etc. SOL Conference - conclusions and next steps

5. 1. The knowledge base Some critical questions • Education or learning? • Non-pedagogical interventions in schools • Non-formal and informal learning • What has been the impact of the ‘educational revolution’ in previous generations? • Role of values, identity formation, socialisation • E.g. school climate, democratic culture and CSE • Role of general attitudes, ‘civilisation’ role of education, social and ethical aspiration SOL Conference - conclusions and next steps

6. 1. The knowledge base Some critical questions • Unaccounted effects • Cf. old debate on role of education in demographic control versus greying population as main driver in health expenditure increase SOL Conference - conclusions and next steps

7. 2. From knowledge to policy Some general observations • Research evidence has growing impact on policy • Some impact on meta-level: improving quality of policy arguments, ‘hygiene’ in political discourse • Evidence and political ideologies: not a zero-sum game – enriching the political debate is main goal • Address various audiences • There is an intermediate ‘knowledge’ between evidence and policy: ‘best practice’, ‘what works’ or ‘yes/no’ knowledge SOL Conference - conclusions and next steps

8. 2. From knowledge to policy SOL-related • Nature and impact of knowledge is also mediated by the compelling nature of the issue at stake • (Physical) health is very compelling, so real policy interest in ‘hard’ evidence • Education also should be seen as ‘hard’ • Social capital and CSE still in an immature state to really impact on policies SOL Conference - conclusions and next steps

9. 2. From knowledge to policy Some critical questions • The political imperative of ‘making your hands dirty’ is not always taken seriously by the research community • Impression that interface structures are weakening • Some countries cut on research divisions in ministries • Applied research undervalued in research assessment • Need for better understanding of broad ‘knowledge’ base used in policy-development and how research evidence interacts with other resources • Cf CERI’s project on Knowledge Options SOL Conference - conclusions and next steps

10. 3. Policies Some general observations • Impact of policies on human behaviour should not be overestimated… • Complex network societies in which there are many and often contradictory influences on behaviour • …but can sometimes be very powerful and effective • E.g. ban on smoking in restaurants and bars • Multi-sectoral policies are likely to be more effective • ‘whole of government’ approach, horizontal work • Importance of synchronicity SOL Conference - conclusions and next steps

11. 3. Policies SOL-related • Despite limited evidence and experts’ caution we can easily agree on some very powerful policy messages • Crucial importance of skills, both cognitive and non-cognitive • Linking to broader debates on skills, 21st C skills, etc. • OECD Skills Strategy • Raising impact of education on health and CSE is part of larger policy objective to increase efficiency and equity in learning outcomes SOL Conference - conclusions and next steps

12. Policy messages Compulsory education can do better in promoting health and civic and social engagement Expansion in tertiary education may help raise the level of health and civic and social engagement ECEC has significant potential to raise the efficiency of improving health and CSE Adult learning can play a role by providing individuals with competencies and information they did not gain through formal education SOL Conference - conclusions and next steps

13. Policy messages Education can contribute to reducing inequalities in social outcomes Policy coherence across sectors and levels of education raises the effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of efforts We don’t necessarily need significant additional resources to better mobilise education Education is not a silver bullet for tackling challenges facing health and CSE; however its net impact is higher after taking externalities into account SOL Conference - conclusions and next steps

14. 3. Policies Some critical questions • Arguments on very long-term return on education investment in health expenditure are politically not always very powerful • Let’s be careful about over-demanding education • Don’t forget that state interference on human behaviour is in itself also ideologically sensitive • Resistance against ‘enlightened expert despotism’ • Did we sufficiently address the crucial issue of multidimensional social exclusion and marginalisation? SOL Conference - conclusions and next steps

15. Conclusions and next steps • Forthcoming publication • Indicator of social outcomes of education now included in Education at a Glance • SOL work will feature prominently in the 2010 Ministerial EDPC meeting on ‘Investing in Human and Social Capital: new challenges’ • SOL work will provide input to OECD agenda on implementation of recommendations of Stiglitz-Sen Commission on Measuring well-being and social progress • Hopefully next phase in CERI’s work programme 2011-12 • We need support of OECD member countries! SOL Conference - conclusions and next steps

16. Finally Thank you ! dirk.vandamme@oecd.org www.oecd.org/edu/ceri This has been a very successful event Thank you very much to all participants Special thanks to Norwegian Ministry of Education SOL Conference - conclusions and next steps