This overview report highlights the strong commitment of higher education institutions to the quality development of these teacher education programmes. At the same time, the NVAO concludes that these programmes remain a work in progress. The further development of several crucial aspects, such as master's theses and subject-specific educational research, will require continued attention and investment from institutions. The government is now called upon to create more favourable framework conditions in consultation with the institutions.
Educational master's programmes were introduced as part of a reform of the former specific teacher education programmes that, until academic year 2018-2019, could be followed at universities, university colleges' Schools of Arts, and adult education centres after completing a subject-specific programme or acquiring relevant professional experience. By introducing teacher education at master's level through the educational master's degree, the Flemish Government sought to strengthen the quality and attractiveness of teacher education. Graduates of university educational master's programmes typically pursue careers in the upper stages of secondary education, while graduates of the Schools of Arts go on to work in secondary arts education, part-time arts education, and the broader field of arts education.
The overview report covers the assessments of 46 educational master's programmes offered by universities and Schools of Arts in Flanders. The NVAO coordinated these assessments between January and August 2023.
The report outlines the methodology applied during the assessments and presents an overview of the substantive findings and considerations of the NVAO's assessment committees. It concludes with the NVAO's reflections, insights and policy recommendations.