Declaration of the Scientific Societies of Education Sciences on the evaluation criteria applied in the area of Education Sciences

The Scientific Societies of Education Sciences, grouped in the Transdisciplinary Network of Educational Research (RETINDE), have written this Declaration where they express their discontent with the way in which the Evaluation criteria are applied in the Education Sciences Area. The EDO Group is one of the 17 organizations that are part of RETINDE.

Specifically, this Declaration refers to the criteria for evaluation of teachers by 2016 published by the National Evaluation Commission for Research Activity (CNEAI). The main arguments underlying this discomfort are diverse, taking into account, for example, that the current assessment criteria do not take into account the social impact of educational research. In addition, there is a lack of transparency regarding the application of the specific criteria that would facilitate applicants' self-assessment.

This declaration was initially drawn up by a committee appointed by the Assembly of the Inter University Association of Pedagogical Research (AIDIPE) meeting in Salamanca. After the previous works, a first draft of the Declaration was sent to the other Societies, Networks and Associations that make up the RETINDE, to make the observations and changes they deem necessary for the final wording.

Since then, some proposals for improvement have been sent, such as the inclusion of other impact factor indices, not only the JCR, but the one developed by SCOPUS and the Seal of Quality of the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT), which reflect much better the diversity and quality of educational research in Spain. In addition, the declaration emphasizes the need to make specific assessment criteria publicly available in sufficient time.

The Declaration has been forwarded from AIDIPE to the General Coordinator of CNEAI, the Secretary General of Universities, the Secretary of State for Education and the Minister of Education, Culture and Sport. Along with the sending of the Declaration, an urgent meeting has been requested with the Secretary of State for Education, in which the Coordinator of the CNEAI is requested to be present.

Here you can read the whole Declaration: https://goo.gl/xUAnuA