The French Centre for Education Studies (Cnesco) analyzes and supports educational policies and practices.

The Cnesco was established through a collaboration between the Ministry of National Education and Youth (MENJ) and the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers (Cnam), and has been affiliated within the Training and Professional Learning research unit (Foap) since September 1st, 2019.

The Cnesco’s core mission is to enhance the understanding of both French and foreign school systems and share research findings on education systems to foster improvements in academic achievement for all students. It is built as a hub between the research community, the educational community, and the public policy makers.

The Cnam provides substantial support for implementing training activities for education professionals and international cooperation.

Over the past nine years, the Cnesco has analyzed a broad range of essential topics regarding French schools producing 85 scientific reports, spanning from examining educational practices within the school (Grade retention and alternatives, Numbers and calculation in Elementary School, Reading literacy, Differentiated instruction, Writing and Composing, Foreign Language Learning, Classroom assessment) to evaluating educational policies, (Social diversity at school, Inclusive school, Vocational education and training, Tackling school dropout, Guidance education, Professional development for education professionals, Educational policy governance, Well-being at school) and international assessment methodologies (PISA, TIMSS).

The Cnesco is a “productive, independent and transparent institution” that “has excelled in implementing an original scientific and participatory method”. The Cnesco’s reports serve as “a reference for policy makers and practitioners”.

French National Assembly’s Assessment and Public Policy Control Committee’s information report on the assessment organization method of the education system, September 2018

The Cnesco’s innovative approach challenges educational policies and practices, based on 3 key dimensions:

·         A high level of scientific expertise with a network of 500 French and foreign researchers engaged in its activities.

·         More than 8.000 grassroots stakeholders involved in the Cnesco’s operations, to challenge its resources and identify areas of improvement.

·         An international outlook enabling the identification of efficient policies implemented abroad.

For each topic, The Cnesco has developed a five-step original method:

The Cnesco serves as a hub between the research community, the educational community, and the civil society.

A network of 500 researchers and international experts, 22 French and international universities and research organizations, and more than 8.000 grassroots stakeholders are involved during consensus conferences and international comparisons conferences to collaborate with the Cnesco on the analysis and support of educational policies and practices.