ANALYSIS OF THE SPANISH SYSTEM OF EDUCATION INDICATORS. A CRITICAL REVIEW

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. This work is part of a wider research the ultimate goal of which is to decide on the usefulness and applicability of the State System of Indicators of Education to improve the quality of schools. In a first step our attention has focused on the review and assessment of the characteristics of this important document. METHOD. We approached a detailed analysis of the different versions of the mentioned document, differentiating the proposals from 2000 to 2009 of those more recent, published since 2010, in order to assess the changes in these. RESULTS. The restructuring that has been made in the system of indicators, eliminating dimensions and indicators that were initially part of it, were not successful, since it involves the loss of highly significant information for the system managers and for those who are directly responsible for the quality of education. DISCUSSION. While it is true that a desirable feature of the State System of indicators would be to achieve the maximum information with the minimum number of indicators, reducing them should be based on the explanatory power and usefulness these may have for improving the educational system, and not a mere simplification of it.