Methods and instruments for the evaluation of vocational education and training systems : requirements of practitioners and the claim for evidence

Abstract

This chapter takes stock of methods and instruments which can be used to evaluate vocational education and training (VET) systems. It "takes as its point of departure the international conference on VET evaluation methodologies and tools organised in Königswinter in December 2009 and extracts lessons from papers presented at this event. The paper reflects on two overarching trends in contemporary VET policy: the increasing demand for instruments that can help policymakers and practitioners and the rising expectations about the quality of such instruments. A discussion on the potential applicability of approaches forms the core of the chapter. The chapter also discusses the importance of interpretive frameworks and the potential role of hermeneutic approaches (Verstehen) when trying to assess VET reforms. Finally, the chapter argues that organisations and centres of expertise, like BIBB and the ETF, could take a stronger role in further systematising of available knowledge in the field." (Hrsg., BIBB-Doku)