PPMI was recently trusted with the task of contributing to the work on European Toolkit for Schools
In the last decade, reducing early school leaving has been one of the key policy priorities at the EU level. In this context, the Education and Training 2020 Working Group on Schools Policy (2014-2015) was gathered to focus specifically on this topic. The European Toolkit for Schools emerged from the recommendations elaborated by this working group, as a practical, evidence-based tool, on how to better support schools and policymakers in preventing and reducing early school leaving. Since its creation, the Toolkit has been gradually growing and is now a relevant resource on which educational practitioners and policymakers can rely for new ideas and promising practice examples.
Considering the current developments in the area of education on the European level, for example the European Education Area and the ET2030 targets as well the upcoming adoption of the Council Recommendation on Pathways to School Success, the Toolkit is becoming more and more relevant. Considering that the European Toolkit for Schools is primarily focused on the identification and promotion of relevant educational resources, it is crucial to ensure that only solid and good-quality resources are included in the Toolkit.
For this reason, it is fundamental that all Toolkit resources are peer-reviewed by at least two independent educational experts, with relevant experience in the development of educational resources. These experts who form the Editorial Board of the European Toolkit for Schools will ensure that only good quality resources make it into the Toolkit. Besides relying on their own knowledge and expertise to assess quality, the Editorial Board members will have to verify if the resources meet a set of different criteria. For example, only resources that are: evidence-based, quality assured, and/or involve a diverse set of educational stakeholders should be included.
PPMI will work with the Editorial Board to further maintain and strengthen the Toolkit for Schools. The specific tasks which PPMI will be responsible for will include:
- Identification, assessment and selection of resources.
- Support for the implementation of Pathways to School Success.
- Drafting articles and organising webinars.
- Assistance in the production of videos for the Toolkit.
- Make proposals for the future development of the Toolkit.
- Contribute to dissemination efforts and promotion activities.