Since its creation in 2018, the French Scientific Council of Education has aimed to facilitate the integration of existing scientific findings, experimentation and international comparison into education policies and practice.
The CSEN is a body attached to the Ministry of National Education.
Acting independently and under the sole responsibility of its members, it produces summaries of current scientific knowledge intended for the Minister, education officials, teachers and parents.
The CSEN may adress any question it deems relevant, and can be consulted by the minister in charge of the national education. However, it serves solely as an advisory body, independent and distinct from decision-making.
The CSEN comprises 30 membres, professors or researchers, French or international, all recognised in their respective fields: cognitive science, economics, sociology, education sciences, linguistics, computer science, philosophy… They are appointed by the Minister for a renewable five-year term. Their contributions are voluntary and unpaid.
All share the same conviction: scientific research can help improve the learning outcomes and well-being of all students and reduce educational inequalities, which are among the major challenges of our school system. They are also convinced that the perspective of researchers can help identify solutions: scientific analysis, rigorous experimentation and international comparison are powerful tools that must be mobilised in the service of students and their teachers.