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Description
Having been legislated in 2019, the National Programme for Second Chance Education, which has eight participating schools, does not include a benchmark for monitoring and evaluating processes, results and impact of the policy, namely with regard to its effectiveness in relation to other public and private responses. Thus, the project aims to map second chance initiatives and their practices in Portugal, to promote a reflection on the quality of their educational actions taking into account the processes and results achieved and to create a systemic reference of good second chance practices, allowing the creation of a monitoring and evaluation process of the initiative that feeds future public policies in this area.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to research second chance education. It aimed to create a digital website with information on second chance initiatives, as well as a handbook of good practices resulting from consultations with stakeholders and a quality benchmark. This was intended to guide action towards better forms of institutional and educational practice.
The project comprised five distinct components:
First, it involved mapping second chance initiatives by creating a digital page with their geographical locations and guidelines, addressing a gap in the Portuguese educational framework.
Second, it facilitated focus groups, where structured discussions were held on specific themes related to second chance initiatives, including public meetings on Second Chance policies in Portugal and Europe.
Third, it established a systemic reference for best practices, developing a system for classifying and certifying the quality and excellence of second chance initiatives. This allowed initiatives to apply for certification, thereby improving their accountability and transparency processes.
Fourth, it focused on designing and publishing resources, including a printed map of initiatives and a manual of quality and excellence standards for the Second Chance Program.
Finally, it involved monitoring and evaluating the initiative, assessing processes, results, and impact.
These components highlighted the project''s commitment to improving second chance education through structured mapping, discussions, best practices, resource creation, and thorough evaluation.
In quantitative terms, the following was achieved:
- 3 NGOs engaged in monitoring public and private decision-making;
- 3 NGO-produced evidence-based report on public/private policies reported in the media;
- 1 NGO initiatives promoting access to information on public/private policies;
Regarding capacity building, the promoter carried out a needs assessment and prepared an action plan.