教育におけるニーズ概念とニーズアセスメント

Abstract

本稿では､主として義務教育段階の公立学校における教育を対象に､教育政策形成過程におけるニーズアセスメントのあり方に関する実証的考察に向けての予備段階として､教育におけるニーズ概念を明らかにして基礎的な前提を示す｡また､政策形成過程の現状をニーズアセスメントの観点から整理し､得られたニーズ概念の政策形成･学校運営方針策定過程における有用性を考察する｡

The purpose of public services or governmental activities is to meet social needs. Recent administrative reform has brought on an increasing concern about transparency and legitimacy of the decision-making processes for policies and administrative measures. In other words, accountability and responsibility are at the center of administrative management. Therefore understanding the social needs via needs assessment should be an essential part of policy-making process. This applies also to both educational administration and school management. However, educational needs assessment is not sufficiently carried out or implemented in the processes. One reason for this is the ambiguity of the concept of educational need. Educational policies must be derived from the students' educational needs, considering that educational administration is about guaranteeing the right to education. This paper analyzes the concept of educational need in terms of its specificity and elements to provide the conceptual basis for valid and useful needs assessment. It also overviews the current situation of decision-making processes and explores the utilization of the structure for educational management in the scope of compulsory education.