The Theory and Practice of Upper Secondary Certification

Upper secondary certificates are essential for education systems. They recognise students' skills and facilitate access to higher education, training and work. As completion of upper secondary education has become the minimum expected level of attainment for life after school, this has accentuated pressure on the functions of upper secondary certificates. They must be at once more inclusive - recognising a broader range of skills and knowledge. Yet their selection function is also more important, as post-school education institutions and employers must identify the right candidates from larger pools than in the past. Given upper secondary certificates' role as passports to life after school, they are often the subject of emotive debate. In this context, this OECD report provides an evidence-based perspective grounded in countries' practice.