Much educational innovation, little effect
'The learning capacity of education is - paradoxically enough - less than that of sectors such as healthcare, design, technology and horticulture, for example,' inspector-general Monique Vogelzang writes sharply in the preface to the State of Education. There are more and more innovative educational concepts, but the question is whether that will lead to better education.
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New educational concepts, more customization, Dutch education is constantly innovating. But the evaluation of all these innovations is mediocre and does not necessarily bring about educational improvement, the Education Inspectorate writes today in the State of Education. Better benchmarks need to be established to see if student performance improves. Not only in language and arithmetic, but also in citizenship and personal development.
Unclear
The Netherlands is world champion in educational innovation. The variety of school types is enormous. Ranging from iPad schools to learning plazas or tailor-made diplomas, from Montessori to bilingual education and technasia. According to Inspector General Monique Vogelzang, this regularly results in 'beautiful and innovative education'. There is evaluation, but very limited. Innovative schools ignore the most important questions. Will school performance improve? Are students more motivated? Will the connection to the labor market improve? 'And as a result, educational innovations are often not sustainable and it is unclear whether they provide better education for future generations of pupils and students.
The Education Inspectorate: The evaluation of innovative educational concepts is mediocre and does not necessarily lead to educational improvement'
Less without obligation
It is a reason for the inspectorate to argue for clear benchmarks. 'There is no clear foundation of common goals,' Vogelzang writes. 'That requires a little less freedom and non-commitment.' The government must take the lead in determining what is really needed for pupils and students in the future. The debate about the curriculum - initiated by former State Secretary Sander Dekker under the title Education 2032 and now transformed into Curriculum.nu - is a unique opportunity, she says. This should result in a 'clear and limited set of benchmarks'. Especially when it comes to language and arithmetic, but also with regard to citizenship and personal development.
Would you like to read more about the conclusions of the Education Inspectorate in the State of Education? Read: Inspection: teacher shortage threatens quality and increases inequality.
