3rd Policy Seminar | Spain

The LOOP Policy Seminar held in Barcelona on February 14, 2024, provided crucial insights into the implementation of mentoring-based induction programs in Catalonia. The attendance of around 25 participants promoted interesting  discussions on the recommendations outlined in the Policy Brief. 

Adequacy: 

Participants unanimously agreed on the suitability of LOOP’s recommendations for the Catalan educational context. There were discussions regarding the professionalization of mentors to ensure the transmission of evidence-based knowledge. Additionally, there was consensus on the importance of active and participative roles for both mentors and mentees in shaping the induction program. 

Impact: 

The SENSEI pilot program in Catalonia utilized LOOP materials and recommendations to structure and improve its initial version. Participants, especially from the Ministry of Education, acknowledged LOOP’s invaluable assistance in guiding program development. Despite resource constraints, political support for LOOP recommendations was evident, although some challenges in full implementation were noted. 

Implementation after LOOP Experimentation: 

Concerns were raised about the diminishing desire to become mentors following the LOOP intervention, prompting a reassessment of mentor training within the SENSEI program. Efforts are underway to address this issue and refine mentorship strategies based on LOOP’s findings. 

Reflection: 

The highest point of the seminar was the lively debate on the future of the SENSEI induction pilot program. Participants expressed concerns about the program’s sustainability beyond the pilot phase and emphasized the need to leverage LOOP’s evidence to inform a permanent induction program in Catalonia. However, uncertainties regarding mentor-mentee matching and role differentiation underscored the complexity of program design. 

Despite these challenges, participants expressed gratitude to the LOOP project for its invaluable contributions to program development and highlighted the importance of continued collaboration. 

Improving Suggestions: 

For future seminars, considerations should be made to optimize participant engagement, especially in hybrid sessions, to ensure active involvement from all stakeholders. Additionally, efforts should be made to streamline information levels to facilitate more inclusive and horizontal debates.