Government establishes schools commission

The aim of the commission is to analyse the quality of the Swedish school system based on the results of the survey by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). The commission is to be established by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) at the request of the Swedish Government. At the same time, an educational science research council is to be established to consult with the Government on school issues.

Based on the results of the PISA 2012 survey, the Government will request that the OECD draft a 'country background report' on Sweden. The report is to contain a closer analysis of Sweden's results in the PISA survey and of the Swedish education system. International researchers and experts in the field of education will participate, and the working group will become an international schools commission. A report on the work is to be presented in 2015.

The Government will also establish an educational research council. The council will be comprised of researchers from different disciplines associated with the school system, and the aim is for the Government to be able to consult with the council on school-related issues. The council will be appointed in spring 2014.

These two measures are intended to supplement other measures the Government is taking to strengthen the scientific foundation of the Swedish school system and education policy. An educational research institute, led by Professor Per Thullberg, will also be established. Its mandate will be to compile and disseminate knowledge of effective practices and working methods to teachers and preschool teachers. Prof. Thullberg is also to assess whether the institute should even be able to initiate research in areas in which there are gaps in knowledge.

Källa: government.se