Education in Costa Rica

Foreword
Acknowledgements
Table of contents
Acronyms and abbreviations
Executive summary
Assessment and recommendations
	Introduction
	Main trends: progress in participation is not yet matched by learning outcomes and equity
	Early childhood education and care: providing a strong start for learning and life
	Basic education in Costa Rica: from access to learning for all
	Completing upper secondary school and pathways beyond: rethinking diversified education in Costa Rica
	Tertiary education: reform to strengthen its role in a growing economy
	Steering the system to higher levels of performance
	References
Chapter 1. Education in Costa Rica: An engine for development
	The context
	Main features and trends
	Education governance and financing in Costa Rica: using funding to get results
	Conclusion and recommendations
	References
Chapter 2. Early Childhood and Care: Giving all children a strong start in earning and life
	The state of ECEC
	Policy Issues
	Policy Issue 2.1. Providing the leadership and funding to drive reform
	Policy Issue 2.2. Raising the quality of care for young children (aged 0-3 years) by engaging parents and encouraging a stronger focus on learning
	Policy Issue 2.3. Ensuring all children aged 4-6 benefit from quality preschool education
	Conclusion and recommendations
	References
Chapter 3. Basic education in Costa Rica: from access to learning for all
	The state of basic education
	Policy Issues
	Policy Issue 3.1. Consolidating a high-quality teaching profession
	Policy Issue 3.2. Building capacity for improvement in schools
	Policy Issue 3.3. Strengthening the national evaluation system
	Conclusion and recommendations
	References
Chapter 4. Completing upper secondary school and pathways beyond: rethinking diversified education in Costa Rica
	The state of upper secondary education
	Policy Issues
	Policy issue 4.1. Raising participation and tackling dropout
	Policy issue 4.2. Reforming curricula and assessments to promote better outcomes for all
	Policy issue 4.3. Strengthening vocational education and training
	Conclusion and recommendations
	References
Chapter 5. Tertiary education in Costa Rica and its role in a growing economy
	The state of tertiary education
	Policy Issues
	Policy issue 5.1. Developing quality assurance and improving transparency
	Policy issue 5.2. Reforming student finance and the funding of tertiary education
	Policy issue 5.3. Developing and implementing a long-term strategy for sector-wide improvement
	Conclusion and recommendations
	References
Annex A. Composition of the review team