1. Trends in Education Systems in Europe. Basic concepts, programmes and policies

Introduction in the comparative study of educational systems. ISCED – International Standard Classification of Education. European aims in education. Strategies of educational policies in EU. Educational programmes and Frameworks.

2. Evaluation and assessment systems in developed countries.

Quality assurance at different levels of education systems; education system evaluation; school evaluation; teacher appraisal; student assessment. Challenges and current trends in evaluation assessment and monitoring.

3. Shadow Education - improving quality of learning?

Implications and current global trends. Research on private education in the world and the Czech Republic. Methodology of the empirical inquiry. The pitfalls of the transition from secondary to tertiary education.

4. International surveys of educational achievement.

History of international surveys of educational achievement. Methods and findings. International indicators of teaching and learning. Current developments and challenges. Assessment of 21^th century skills.

5. Development and problems of schooling in European Countries

Presentation of the Seminar Thesis and discussion on the quality in education from the views of the course participants