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Education at a Glance 2009: OECD Indicators is now available

 

 

Summary of chapters |  How to obtain this publication
Tables, annex material and database | Multilingual summaries

   

Publication: 16/19/2003
ISBN:  9264102353

Pages: 454

  

Education at a Glance 2003

The 2003 edition of Education at a Glance: OECD Indicators enables countries to see themselves in the light of other countries' performance. It provides a rich, comparable and up-to-date array of indicators on the performance of education systems that represent the consensus of professional thinking on how to measure the current state of education internationally.

The focus of the 2003 edition of Education at a Glance is on the quality of learning outcomes, the policy levers and contextual factors that shape these outcomes, and the broader private and social returns that accrue to investments in education. This includes a comparative picture of student performance near the beginning and end of compulsory education that extends to knowledge and skills in important subject areas as well as patterns of learning strategies and engagement in learning. The picture is not limited to aggregate country performance, but also incorporates variations within countries. This allows for an examination of issues of equity in the provision and outcomes of education, on dimensions such as gender, age, socio-economic background, type of institution, or field of education. This report also includes new information on student learning conditions which provides a better understanding of some of the determinants of educational success. This information elaborates on the integration of information and communication technologies in the instructional process, as well as on teacher qualifications, teacher working conditions and other factors affecting teacher demand and supply.

Finally, for many indicators, a significantly larger number of OECD countries are now providing data. Through the World Education Indicators programme, a wide range of non-member countries have also contributed to this year’s edition of Education at a Glance, extending the coverage of some of the indicators to almost two-thirds of the world population.

The thematic organisation of the volume and the background information accompanying the tables and charts make this publication a valuable resource for anyone interested in analysing education systems across countries.

Summary of chapters

The focus of the 2003 edition of Education at a Glance is on the quality of learning outcomes, the policy levers and contextual factors that shape these outcomes, and the broader private and social returns that accrue to investments in education. This includes a comparative picture of student performance near the beginning and end of compulsory education that extends to knowledge and skills in important subject areas as well as patterns of learning strategies and engagement in learning. The picture is not limited to aggregate country performance, but also incorporates variations within countries. This allows for an examination of issues of equity in the provision and outcomes of education, on dimensions such as gender, age, socio-economic background, type of institution, or field of education. This report also includes new information on student learning conditions which provides a better understanding of some of the determinants of educational success. This information elaborates on the integration of information and communication technologies in the instructional process, as well as on teacher qualifications, teacher working conditions and other factors affecting teacher demand and supply. 

Chapter A
Chapter A begins by examining graduation rates at the upper secondary and tertiary levels of education. To gauge progress in educational output, current graduation rates are compared to the educational attainment of older persons who left the education system at different points in time. Chapter A also goes beyond a count of graduates in each system to examine the quality of learning outcomes. Looking at reading literacy skills of both 9 and 15 year-olds, as well as gender differences in performance, attitudes, and learning strategies. Students’ engagement in reading and reading practices are also examined. Finally, the chapter presents the returns to investments in education for individuals and the society. 

Chapter B
Chapter B provides a comparative examination of spending patterns in OECD countries. By giving more emphasis to trends in spending patterns, Education at a Glance 2003 analyses how different demand and supply factors interact and how spending on education, compared to spending on other social priorities, has changed.

Chapter C
Chapter C sketches a comparative picture of access, participation and progression in education across OECD countries. Education is seen as a mechanism for instilling civic values, and as a means for developing individuals' productive and social capacity. Early childhood programmes prepare young children socially and academically for primary education. Primary and secondary education provides basic skills that serve as a foundation for young people to become productive members of society. Tertiary education provides opportunities for acquiring advanced knowledge and skills, either immediately after initial schooling or later.

Chapter D
Chapter D begins by examining student learning conditions, including information on the amount of instruction time and average class size. The chapter presents information on the use of ICT in upper secondary schools and analyses the perceived obstacles to the effective integration of ICT in the learning process. The chapter then examines the qualification requirements for new teachers in the public sector as well as measures to support professional development. OECD countries need to ensure a sufficient number of skilled teachers. The chapter examines the salaries and working conditions of teachers and the costs incurred by individuals to become teachers, compared with salaries and costs in other occupations. At once the key determinant of teacher supply, salaries also are the largest single factor in the cost of providing education. Teacher supply is also examined with regard to the age of the teaching force and how schools deal with teacher shortages. 

How to obtain this publication

Readers can access the full version of Education at a Glance 2003 choosing from the following options:

  • Subscribers and readers at subscribing institutions can access the online edition via SourceOECD, our online library.
  • Non-subscribers can purchase the PDF e-book and/or paper copy via our Online Bookshop.
  • Order from your local distributor
  • Government officials can go to OLISnet's Publication Locator.
  • Access by password for accredited journalists

Tables, annex material and database

Multilingual summaries

 

 

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