Diversity refers to the presence and recognition of differences between people, including differences in culture, ethnicity, language, gender, abilities, socioeconomic background, beliefs and experiences. In education, diversity means recognising and valuing these differences and ensuring that all children and learners have equal opportunities to participate, learn and develop.
Dropout rate is the percentage of students who leave their education before completing a particular level or programme of study.
EAL is a term used mainly in education to describe students who are learning and using English when it is not their first language or mother tongue. EAL status does not imply learning difficulties; it indicates that the student is developing English proficiency alongside another language.
ECEC/ECCE/ECE refers to education and care for children from birth to the beginning of primary education, provided within a national regulatory framework. It aims to support children’s holistic social, emotional, cognitive and physical development and build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and wellbeing. It includes settings such as preschools, kindergartens and day-care centres.
Educational disparities are differences in access to education, learning opportunities and educational outcomes between different groups of students. They can relate to factors such as socioeconomic background, gender, ethnicity, location, or disability, and may lead to unequal educational opportunities and outcomes.
Educational indicators are measures used to describe and assess the state and performance of an education system. They can provide information about areas such as access to education, participation, learning outcomes, completion rates and educational resources.
Educational inequalities are differences in students’ access to education, learning opportunities and educational outcomes. They occur when some groups of students have fewer opportunities or face greater barriers to achieving the same educational outcomes as others, often because of factors such as socioeconomic background, gender, ethnicity, disability or place of residence.
An educational outcome is the knowledge, skills, abilities or other results that a student achieves as a result of education or learning. It can be measured through grades, test results, qualifications, or completion of an education programme.
Eurydice is a European information network that provides information about education systems and policies in European countries. It supports comparisons of education systems by collecting and presenting information on areas such as educational structures, policies, reforms, and national education practices.
Equality means treating all people fairly and giving them the same rights, opportunities and access to resources, regardless of their background or personal characteristics. In education, equality means ensuring that all students have the same right to education and access to the same educational opportunities, without discrimination.
Equity means ensuring that people have fair opportunities and support, while recognising that they may have different needs and circumstances. In education, equity means providing students with the support and resources they need to access education, participate fully and achieve their potential, regardless of their background or personal circumstances.
GDPR is a European Union law that protects people’s personal data and privacy. It sets rules for how personal data can be collected, used, stored and shared, and gives people control over their own data.
Gender inequality refers to unfair differences in opportunities, rights, treatment or access to resources between people based on their gender. It can affect areas such as education, employment, income, healthcare and participation in society.
GPA is a numerical measure of a student’s average academic performance. It is calculated from the grades a student receives in their courses and is usually expressed on a specific scale, such as 0–4.0.
Inclusion means ensuring that all people are accepted, respected and able to participate fully in society, regardless of their differences or background. In education, inclusion means creating learning environments where all students can participate, learn and develop together, with the support they need to succeed.
Intersectionality refers to how different aspects of a person’s identity, such as gender, ethnicity, social class, disability, or age, can overlap and influence their experiences and opportunities. In education, intersectionality helps us understand how these different factors can interact and create specific advantages or barriers for students.
ISCED is a reference framework that organises and compares educational programs and qualifications globally.
- ISCED 0: Early childhood education (‘less than primary’)
- ISCED 1: Primary education
- ISCED 2: Lower secondary education
- ISCED 3: Upper secondary education
- ISCED 4: Post-secondary non-tertiary education
- ISCED 5: Short-cycle tertiary education
- ISCED 6: Bachelor’s or equivalent level
- ISCED 7: Master’s or equivalent level
- ISCED 8: Doctoral or equivalent level
Large-scale assessment surveys are studies that collect data from large groups of students to measure their knowledge, skills and educational outcomes. They compare results across different groups, regions, or countries and help explain the factors that influence education.
LGBTQIA+ is a term for people with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. It includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex and asexual people, while the “+” represents other identities. The term recognises and describes diversity in people’s identities and experiences.
Longitudinal data is information collected from the same people, groups, or institutions over time. In education, it can be used to track students’ development, learning outcomes and educational experiences over time.
Migrant students are students who have moved from one country or place to another, often with their families, and are studying in a new education system. Migration background refers more broadly to a person’s or their family’s history of migration, including students born in the country who have parents or grandparents who migrated. In education, these terms are used to understand students’ experiences, needs and opportunities in relation to migration.
NEET refers to young people who are not currently studying, working or participating in education, employment or training. The term is used in education and employment policy to identify young people who may face barriers to continuing education or entering the labour market.
NGO is a non-profit group that operates independently of any government to address social, environmental, or humanitarian issues.
OECD is an international organisation that serves as a forum and knowledge hub for data, analysis, and best practices in public policy, collaborating with over 100 countries worldwide.
PIRLS is an international assessment that measures students' reading ability, mainly in the fourth year of primary education. PIRLS collects data from different countries to compare students’ reading achievement and understand factors that influence reading development.
PISA is an international study that assesses the knowledge and skills of 15-year-old students in areas such as reading, mathematics and science. PISA compares students’ performance across countries and helps evaluate how well education systems prepare young people for life and further learning.
The policy cycle is a model that describes the main stages of developing and implementing a policy. It usually includes identifying a problem, developing and adopting a policy, implementing it, monitoring and evaluating its results, and using the findings to improve or change the policy.
SEN refers to learning needs that require additional support because a student may have difficulties with learning, communication, physical development, behaviour or other areas. SEND is a broader term that also includes disabilities.
SES refers to a person’s or family’s social and economic position in society. It is usually related to factors such as income, education level, occupation and living conditions. SES can influence students’ access to educational resources, learning opportunities and educational outcomes.
TIMSS is an international assessment that measures students’ knowledge and skills in mathematics and science. TIMSS compares students’ achievement across countries and over time to help understand the performance of education systems.
Youth Wiki is an online European information platform about national youth policies. It provides information about how European countries support young people in areas such as education, employment, health, participation and social inclusion.