Conferencia de Nuno Crato, exministro de Educación y Ciencia de Portugal, en la UCJC

Inauguration of the Masterclass with Professor Nuno Crato

Introduction by Álvaro Moraleda

• Álvaro Moraleda, Dean of the Faculty of Education at Universidad Camilo José Cela, opens the masterclass, welcoming attendees from Ibero-America.

• He introduces Professor Nuno Crato, a renowned university professor and former Minister of Education in Portugal.

The "Portuguese Miracle" in Education

• Moraleda highlights Crato's tenure as Minister, which is noted for significant improvements in educational outcomes internationally recognized as the "Portuguese miracle."

• Emphasis is placed on evidence-based educational decisions that led to sustained improvements in assessments like PISA.

Importance of Evidence-Based Decision Making

• The speaker stresses that political and social environments should base their decisions on solid evidence to minimize risks associated with errors.

• He critiques the frequent application of innovations in education driven by creativity or intuition without rigorous evaluation.

Balancing Emotion and Empirical Evidence

• Moraleda expresses skepticism about viewing education solely as an art form; he believes it must also be grounded in empirical research.

• He advocates for integrating emotional dimensions into pedagogy while maintaining a strong foundation in quantitative methods and research.

The Shift Towards Data Culture in Education

• A question arises regarding whether there is a genuine shift towards data-driven culture within education or if it's merely an illusion among academics.

• The potential impact of artificial intelligence and learning analytics on creating more informed educational practices is discussed.

Need for Research Skills Among Educators

• Moraleda argues that educators should be trained to critically engage with scientific literature and participate in research projects akin to medical training.

• He cites Steenhouse’s view that teachers should become researchers of their own practice to generate relevant educational knowledge.

Conclusion and Transition to Professor Nuno Crato

• Gratitude is expressed towards Professor Crato for sharing insights on international evidence that can transform educational systems.

• Moraleda emphasizes the need for courage, honesty, and rigor when interpreting data within current historical contexts.

Profile Overview of Professor Nuno Crato

Academic Background

• Nuno Crato's academic credentials are briefly mentioned; he is an emeritus professor of statistics and mathematics at the University of Lisbon.

Professional Achievements

• His notable achievements include international awards, extensive publications, and ongoing consultancy roles with various governments.

Tenure as Minister of Education

• Discussion focuses on his time as Portugal's Minister from 2011 to 2015 during a period characterized by basic consensus among political parties regarding educational policies.

Nuno Crato's Educational Reforms and Their Impact

Overview of Nuno Crato's Tenure

• Nuno Crato's management as Minister of Education and Science in Portugal significantly improved the education system, leading to a relative peak in educational outcomes.

• An academic analysis conducted in 2020 compared Spain and Portugal’s educational policies, focusing on systemic approaches including resources, processes, and results.

Methodology of the Analysis

• The study utilized international indicators for a longitudinal evaluation over the decade from 2010 to 2020, highlighting clear improvements during Crato's reforms.

• Graphical data demonstrated the positive impact of Nuno’s reforms on educational results; however, a decline was noted after his departure from office.

Recognition and Legacy

• International recognition from evaluative bodies like OECD confirmed the effectiveness of Crato’s reforms through both positive and negative data assessments.

• His educational reforms are studied in university courses as case studies, allowing students to engage with real-world implications of policy changes.

Insights on Educational Reform Success

• A notable academic paper by Ben Levin emphasized that successful educational reform requires not only evidence-based strategies but also emotional engagement with stakeholders.

• Personal interactions with Nuno allowed for an analytical perspective on non-technical factors contributing to his success as an education minister.

Importance of International Assessments

• The discussion highlighted key international assessments such as PISA and TIMSS that began shaping global perceptions about education quality at the start of the 21st century.

• These assessments revealed surprising results for European countries regarding their standings compared to Asian nations like Japan and Singapore.

Shifts in Global Educational Standards

• The emergence of these international evaluations marked a significant shift in understanding global education standards, challenging previous assumptions about European superiority.

• The shock from these findings prompted discussions about necessary reforms within European education systems to improve competitiveness globally.

Educational Policies and Comparative Analysis

The Impact of Educational Methods on Student Performance

• Discussion on the importance of objective comparisons in educational policies, highlighting the interest in Singapore's math methods due to their top performance in PISA assessments.

• Emphasis on the need for consistent reference systems within countries to accurately compare educational data over time, noting that not all countries have stable evaluation criteria.

• Challenges in comparing historical math scores due to differing exams and curricula; Italy is mentioned as having a more reliable assessment system (Invalsi).

• Introduction of PISA data as a rich source for understanding educational trends over nearly 30 years, despite complexities in analyzing this data.

• Importance of deep analysis into seemingly uninteresting data from PISA and TIMSS, which can yield surprising insights about student performance.

Insights from PISA Data

• Overview of how millions of students are represented in surveys like PISA, providing valuable insights into European education systems' challenges.

• Visual representation of student performance across countries shows significant disparities; Singapore leads with 559 points while Portugal lags at 477 points.

• Explanation that a difference of approximately 25–30 points correlates to one year of schooling; thus, Singaporean students are estimated to be three years ahead of Portuguese peers.

• Notable mention that Singaporean students outperform even Estonia, the highest-ranking European country by more than a year.

• Observations on varying performances among Asian countries compared to others; highlights the need for attention towards successful educational policies.

Comparative Analysis Across Regions

• Examination of underperforming regions such as Albania and Guatemala alongside Israel and Mongolia, illustrating stark differences in educational outcomes.

• Call for closer examination of high-performing nations' strategies; U.S. performance is noted as lacking compared to other global leaders.

• Presentation of graphical data showing clear separations between top-performing countries like Korea and those lagging behind within Europe and Asia based on PISA results.

• Similar patterns observed in TIMSS assessments indicate systemic issues affecting multiple nations’ education systems.

Analysis of Educational Trends and Factors

Historical Context and Current Concerns

• The speaker reflects on the historical context, noting that post-World War II, countries were poorer and weaker, contrasting with current expectations for progress.

• There is a concern about regression in educational outcomes, emphasizing that we are not as advanced as we could be compared to Asian countries which demonstrate significant progress.

PISA Results and Trends

• A systematic decline in educational results is observed from 2009 to 2012, raising questions about the impact of the pandemic on recent data. The upcoming PISA results will be crucial for understanding these trends.

• The speaker highlights a concerning trend where North American and European countries show declining performance while Southeast Asian nations continue to improve in education metrics.

Factors Influencing Educational Outcomes

External Factors

• Socioeconomic status is identified as a critical external factor influencing student performance; children from wealthier families tend to perform better academically due to access to resources like books and educated parents.

Internal Factors

• Teaching methods play a significant role; teacher-led instruction correlates positively with student success, suggesting that effective classroom leadership enhances learning outcomes.

• Time spent in class does not directly correlate with learning quality; rather, what students learn during that time is more important than sheer hours spent in school. This challenges traditional views on instructional time allocation.

Negative Influences on Learning

• Discovery-based learning approaches are critiqued as ineffective for fostering real-world application of knowledge, indicating that rote memorization without practical application leads to poor outcomes.

• Students who have repeated grades face ongoing academic challenges; this repetition often indicates deeper issues affecting their ability to progress successfully through the education system.

Instructional Strategies

• The need for explicit instruction is emphasized; despite concerns about outdated teaching methods, structured guidance can lead to better coherence in curriculum delivery and enhance student engagement through connected learning experiences.

Understanding Active Methodologies in Education

The Coherence of Learning and Activities

• The speaker discusses the coherence between what is learned and the often disconnected activities provided by inquiry-based teaching methods, contrasting this with meaningful learning as proposed by Ausubel.

Inquiry-Based vs. Structured Knowledge

• Emphasizes that while inquiry can be disconnected, a structured curriculum is essential for achieving significant learning outcomes. There’s a desire for students to understand the structure of knowledge, particularly in subjects like physics.

Active Methodologies and Teacher Leadership

• Highlights the need for active methodologies in teaching while maintaining teacher leadership. There's confusion about what constitutes "active" learning; it should not just mean moving around or creating noise in class.

Balancing Teaching Methods

• Suggests mixing challenging problem-solving with traditional teaching methods. The challenge lies in how to effectively combine these approaches without losing coherence.

Insights from PISA Data on Teaching Methods

• Discusses findings from PISA data indicating that an over-reliance on inquiry-based methods can lead to poorer outcomes, whereas a balance where teachers lead but also incorporate student-guided activities yields better results.

Cognitive Psychology's Role in Learning Challenges

• Introduces cognitive psychology insights that suggest students must have foundational knowledge before tackling challenging problems. This aligns with the distinction between novices and experts in understanding complex concepts.

Expertise Reversal Effect

• Explains the expertise reversal effect, where advanced learners perform worse on tasks that are too easy compared to those at their level of understanding due to boredom or lack of engagement.

Teacher-Centered Instruction and Inequality Reduction

• Mentions a recent study comparing teacher-centered versus student-centered instruction, concluding that teacher-centered approaches may help reduce educational inequalities contrary to common beliefs about student-led learning environments.

Understanding Educational Approaches and Creativity

Structured vs. Unstructured Learning

• For advanced children, structured learning is beneficial, while less knowledgeable students require motivation and challenges to spark their interest.

• Teacher-centered practices have been shown to significantly narrow achievement gaps, particularly in socio-economic contexts.

• Student-centered approaches do not effectively reduce inequalities; they may even worsen them.

The Role of International Assessments

• PISA assessments are often misunderstood as competitions; however, they provide valuable insights into educational possibilities rather than direct comparisons.

• While countries like China excel in rote memorization, the focus should also be on critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity—areas where Latin cultures excel.

Measuring Creativity in Education

• Recent PISA surveys introduced creativity as a measurable domain alongside traditional subjects like mathematics and civics.

• Examples of measuring creativity include tasks such as designing an advertisement poster or completing a story with an invented paragraph.

Correlation Between Mathematics and Creativity

• A significant finding indicates that higher mathematical knowledge correlates with greater creative abilities in tasks like storytelling or advertising design.

• Understanding foundational concepts enhances creative thinking; thus, education should integrate both knowledge acquisition and creative expression.

Reading Instruction Debates

• The debate between global versus phonetic reading methods has largely been resolved in favor of phonetics based on scientific data.

• Motivating young readers requires teaching them how to read effectively first; comprehension is essential for fostering a love for reading.

Importance of Background Knowledge

• To develop a genuine interest in reading, students must possess background knowledge that aids understanding; without it, engagement diminishes.

Understanding the Importance of Reading and Knowledge in Education

The Role of Literature in Comprehension

• The speaker expresses confusion about a discussion related to Bolívar, emphasizing the need for foundational knowledge gained through reading.

• A study based on PISA indicates that reading fiction, such as works by García Márquez and Camilo José Cela, is linked to better reading comprehension.

• It is concluded that students should progressively read more complex fiction to enhance their understanding and ability to tackle advanced texts.

Teaching Strategies for Improved Literacy

• The importance of explicit teaching methods is highlighted; educators must guide students towards appropriate reading materials.

• There’s a critical distinction made between imparting knowledge versus merely teaching applications of knowledge; foundational knowledge is essential for effective application.

Competency vs. Knowledge-Based Education

• The speaker critiques educational ideologies that prioritize application over foundational knowledge, arguing this leads to poor student performance in subjects like mathematics.

• Countries focused on structured knowledge education (e.g., China, Japan, Singapore) excel in applying that knowledge effectively.

Training and Curriculum Development

• Drawing an analogy with sports training, the speaker suggests that practice should focus on fundamental skills rather than just gameplay.

• Emphasizes the necessity for rigorous curricula while providing support for struggling students without lowering standards.

Evaluating Educational Policies

• A famous economist's quote about evaluating policies based on results rather than intentions is referenced; many believe their good intentions justify ineffective policies.

• The speaker mentions writing a book available online discussing these ideas further, encouraging readers to explore his insights into educational policy.

Conclusion and Q&A Session Introduction

• The session concludes with gratitude expressed towards the audience and an invitation for questions from attendees both present and online.

Discussion on Educational Development

Importance of Personal Development for Teachers

• A student from a dual degree in education and psychology asks about personal development strategies for teachers to enhance their teaching effectiveness.

• The speaker emphasizes the need for extensive planning, hard work, and active engagement with students through questioning to assess understanding.

• Effective questioning should go beyond simple comprehension checks; it should encourage deeper thinking and reflection among students.

• The speaker suggests that good questions can lead to valuable discussions, such as exploring correlations between subjects like mathematics and creativity.

Challenges in Implementing Educational Policies

• Carmen Aguilera, a retired teacher involved in educational policy-making, shares her frustration regarding the disconnect between evident educational needs and political action.

• She notes that despite clear data from assessments like PISA indicating necessary changes, politicians often fail to act on this information due to various reasons.

• Aguilera stresses the importance of public discourse—using media platforms to communicate educational issues—to influence political decisions effectively.

Political Resistance in Education Reform

• Guillermo Valmori, a secondary school teacher, raises concerns about political resistance faced by reform initiatives during the speaker's tenure as minister.

• He questions why evidence-based recommendations are often met with reluctance from politicians and seeks insight into underlying motivations for this resistance.

• The response highlights that entrenched interests—both personal pride and financial motives—can hinder progress in adopting effective educational practices.

Insights on Educational Methods and Goals

The Importance of Setting Goals in Education

• The speaker discusses the power dynamics in education, emphasizing that change often requires a shift in perspective. They recount a conversation with a school director from Portugal who praised their approach to changing teaching methods.

• The speaker reflects on how they did not personally change the teaching methods but instead set clear goals for educators. This strategy encouraged teachers to adapt without direct confrontation.

• A notable figure mentioned is José Morayes, a Belgian psychologist known for his expertise in reading. His work emphasizes the necessity of establishing educational goals to improve student outcomes.

• The speaker argues that if they had attempted to convince proponents of traditional global methods that they were wrong, it would have been ineffective. Instead, setting clear objectives led to improved results.

• Establishing clear educational goals is presented as an effective political strategy within democratic contexts, allowing teachers and students to understand expectations without resistance.

Adapting Teaching Methods Based on Clear Objectives

• The speaker notes that when students are aware of what is expected (e.g., reading 55 words per minute), teachers may naturally adjust their methods, even incorporating phonetic approaches alongside existing ones.

• There’s criticism of the belief that children will learn at their own pace; instead, specific benchmarks should be established early in education to ensure progress.

• Emphasizing measurable outcomes helps educators focus on achieving specific literacy rates by the end of each academic year rather than relying solely on patience or time.

Cultural Factors Influencing Education

• Álvaro Moraleda raises questions about cultural factors affecting educational performance across different countries and how these might contribute to persistent differences despite improvements in teaching methods.

• He highlights data showing regression analysis indicating some differences remain even after correcting various factors, suggesting deeper underlying issues related to culture and perseverance in education.

• The discussion touches upon non-cognitive variables such as perseverance and cultural influences from Asian pedagogies which may impact educational success beyond instructional methodologies alone.

Potential for Improvement Despite Challenges

• The speaker agrees with Moraleda's observations about cultural impacts but maintains optimism regarding potential improvements through changes in teaching strategies and evaluation methods.

• They cite Portugal's performance improvement over Finland's students in mathematics as evidence that cultural attitudes towards learning can evolve positively with effective educational practices.

Why Education Quality Matters

The Perception of Educational Standards

• The speaker challenges the notion that Northern European countries will always outperform others in education, asserting that with proper teaching methods, other nations can match or exceed their standards.

• Acknowledges Finland's decline in educational performance but emphasizes pride in surpassing it as a significant achievement for Portugal.

Discussion on Educational Trends

• Highlights a significant figure presented by Professor Crato showing the evolution of math performance between Western and Eastern countries, noting cultural factors must be considered.

• Points out the concerning trend where Western countries are experiencing a decline in educational results over time.

Awareness of Decline in Education

• Questions whether there is an awareness among Western nations regarding their educational decline and its implications for knowledge-based societies.

• Discusses conflicting views: some believe worsening conditions will lead to improvement, while others recognize the need for urgent change due to declining literacy rates.

Contradictory Perspectives on Change

• The speaker notes that while some sectors remain indifferent to educational outcomes, many are increasingly concerned about the quality of education and its societal impacts.

• Mentions various countries like Ireland and Sweden actively working on curriculum reforms as positive signs amidst contradictory attitudes towards education.

Importance of Continuous Dialogue

• Emphasizes the necessity of ongoing discussions about educational performance and its broader implications for economic, cultural, and social development.

Insights from Japanese Education

Comparative Reflections on Teaching Practices

• A participant from Japan shares insights into Japanese education systems, highlighting differences observed compared to Spain.

• Notes that Japanese teachers engage deeply with students' families, indicating a holistic approach to education beyond mere knowledge transmission.

Collaboration Between Families and Schools

Importance of Family Participation

• There is a strong collaboration between families and schools, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in education.

• Family participation extends beyond traditional roles, with teachers in Japan working significantly more hours than their counterparts elsewhere, leading to potential negative consequences.

Educational Activities Beyond Textbooks

• Schools not only teach from textbooks but also impart values and cultural disciplines through various activities.

• Examples include sports days and cultural events where students take initiative, forming committees for different responsibilities like cleaning and reading.

Educational Reforms Discussion

Challenges in Implementing Reforms

• The speaker expresses interest in hearing about educational reforms that have been successfully implemented during their tenure as a minister.

• They highlight the political difficulties and resource constraints involved in initiating educational reforms.

Key Elements of Successful Reforms

• The speaker identifies three essential components for effective educational reform:

• A well-structured, detailed curriculum that sets clear expectations for student learning.

• Regular evaluations based on the curriculum to ensure accountability among teachers and students.

• Special support for children facing difficulties to enhance overall educational outcomes.

Curriculum Development

Characteristics of an Effective Curriculum

• An effective curriculum must be structured, demanding, detailed, and progressive rather than vague or overly general.

• Specific learning objectives should be established at each grade level to guide student development effectively.

National vs. Local Curricula

• The speaker argues for a national curriculum over local adaptations due to cultural challenges in implementing diverse curricula across regions.

Evaluation Systems

Importance of Evaluation

• Evaluations must align with the established curriculum; they are crucial for measuring student progress effectively.

• Frequent assessments are necessary rather than waiting until the end of schooling to evaluate knowledge retention.

Types of Evaluation

• Various evaluation methods can be employed (formative, summative), but they must adhere to consistent standards for comparability across years.

Support Systems in Education

Addressing Student Needs

• Providing special support for students with difficulties is vital; this approach has proven effective even with fewer financial resources compared to previous administrations.

Conclusion on Educational Improvement

• The speaker emphasizes that without a solid foundation in curriculum design, evaluation systems, and support mechanisms, no significant progress can be made within education systems.

Understanding the Role of Education Ministers

The Function and Structure of the Ministry

• The speaker reflects on their long experience in education, mentioning their background as a pedagogue for nearly 40 years and their connection to educational policy through a master's program.

• They discuss the dual nature of the ministry's function, emphasizing the balance between technical (technocratic) aspects and ideological/political considerations within educational governance.

• Questions arise about how these elements interact within the ministry's structure and functionality over four years, particularly regarding whether science should be integrated with education or kept separate.

Technical vs. Political Aspects

• The speaker asserts that understanding curriculum is fundamental; without clarity on goals, political efforts may be ineffective.

• They share insights from Portugal about bureaucratic dynamics, noting that officials often follow directives even if they disagree, highlighting a need for clear objectives from leadership.

• Acknowledging political dimensions, they stress that achieving educational goals requires persuasion rather than confrontation.

Challenges in Educational Reform

• The speaker uses an analogy from "Alice in Wonderland" to illustrate that without clear direction in education reform, any path taken may lead to confusion or ineffectiveness.

• They critique current political trends where politicians prioritize immediate problem-solving over meaningful educational improvements.

Integration of Science and Education

• The discussion shifts to whether science should be combined with education under one ministry; while acknowledging potential benefits, they express a preference for separation due to distinct challenges each field presents.

• They highlight practical advantages of having separate ministries when it comes to legislative changes affecting teacher training.

Addressing Basic Skills in Education

• A question arises regarding whether similar reasoning applied to reading should also apply to basic math skills; the speaker agrees but notes differences in learning pathways between subjects like reading and mathematics.

• Emphasizing systematic approaches for different areas of study, they explain how foundational skills must be developed uniquely across disciplines.

Discussion on Educational Goals and Policies

Importance of Written Language in Education

• The speaker emphasizes the necessity of written language for advancing in education, particularly in mathematics, where different approaches exist.

• It is highlighted that educational goals must be established early, with foundational arithmetic operations needing to be mastered from the first grade rather than waiting until later grades.

Reflection on Educational Policies

• Acknowledgment of Nuno Crato's contributions over a decade at the institution, reflecting on Portugal's educational standing compared to Finland based on PISA results.

• The speaker recalls interactions with an audience member from Finland who defended their educational system while discussing Portuguese education.

Need for Political Leadership in Education

• There is a call for political figures in education who can serve as role models for students and contribute positively to educational policy discussions.

• The importance of having knowledgeable professors and experts leading master’s programs in educational policies is emphasized.

Contributions to Educational Literature

• The speaker expresses gratitude towards Francisco for motivating him to write a book titled "Apología del libro de texto," which discusses the significance of textbooks in education.

• This book has been shared across various countries in South America, indicating its impact and relevance beyond local contexts.

Future Challenges: Artificial Intelligence in Education

• A mention of upcoming discussions regarding artificial intelligence's role and implications within the educational landscape scheduled for March 19th.

• An invitation is extended to participants to engage with experts from Dugalia about advancements being made in Galicia related to AI.