(‘European benchmarks’)

As a means of monitoring progress and identifying challenges, as well as contributing to evidence-based policy making, a series of reference levels of European average performance (‘European benchmarks’) should support the strategic objectives outlined in the above conclusions for the period 2010-2020.

These benchmarks build on the existing ones adopted under the ‘Education and Training 2010’ work programme. They should be based solely on comparable data and take account of the differing situations in individual Member States. They should not be considered as concrete targets for individual countries to reach by 2020. Rather, Member States are invited to consider, on the basis of national priorities and whilst taking account of changing economic circumstances, how and to what extent they can contribute to the collective achievement of the European benchmarks through national actions.

On this basis, the Member States agree to the following five benchmarks:

Adult participation in lifelong learning

With a view to increasing the participation of adults in lifelong learning, particularly that of the low-skilled:

— By 2020, an average of at least 15 % of adults should participate in lifelong learning.

Low achievers in basic skills

With a view to ensuring that all learners attain an adequate level of basic skills, especially in reading, mathematics and science:

—  By 2020, the share of low-achieving 15-years olds in reading, mathematics and science (3) should be less than 15 %.

Tertiary level attainment

Given the increasing demand for higher education attainment, and whilst acknowledging the equal importance of vocational education and training:

— By 2020, the share of 30-34 year olds with tertiary educational attainment (4) should be at least 40 %.

Early leavers from education and training

As a contribution to ensuring that a maximum number of learners complete their education and training:

—  By 2020, the share of early leavers from education and training (5) should be less than 10 %.

Early childhood education

With a view to increasing participation in early childhood education as a foundation for later educational success, especially in the case of those from disadvantaged backgrounds:

— By 2020, at least 95 % of children between 4 years old and the age for starting compulsory primary education should participate in early childhood education.

In addition, the Council invites the Commission to work further in the following areas:

Mobility

Given the widely acknowledged added value of learning mobility, and with a view to increasing such mobility, the Commission is invited to submit to the Council a proposal for a benchmark in this area by the end 2010, focusing initially on physical mobility between countries in the field of higher education, taking both quantitative and qualitative aspects into account and reflecting the efforts made and the objectives agreed within the Bologna process, as highlighted most recently at the Leuven and Louvain-la-Neuve conference. At the same time, the Commission is invited to study the possibility of extending such a benchmark to include vocational education and training and teacher mobility.

Employability

Given the importance of enhancing employability through education and training in order to meet current and future labour market challenges, the Commission is invited to submit to the Council a proposal for a possible European benchmark in this area by the end of 2010.

Language learning

In view of the importance of learning two foreign languages from an early age, as highlighted in the March 2002 Barcelona European Council conclusions, the Commission is invited to submit to the Council — by the end of 2012 — a proposal for a possible benchmark in this area, based on the ongoing work on language competences.