Standing Scientific Commission

The Standing Scientific Commission (SWK) is an independent scientific advisory body of the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK). It consists of 16 members—twelve appointed and four permanent members - who possess outstanding expertise in German and international educational research. The 16 educational researchers of the SWK advise the federal states on the further development of the education system. The Commission identifies existing problems and provides evidence-based recommendations for their solution. The co-chairs are Prof. Dr. Olaf Köller and Prof. Dr. Felicitas Thiel.

The Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs agreed on the establishment of the SWK with its resolution of October 15, 2020, and appointed it in 2021 for a period of three years based on the proposal of an independent selection committee. The composition of the Commission reflects the different areas of education. In 2024, the Commission was reappointed and newly appointed for its second term (July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2027). Based on an evaluation after four years, a decision will be made on its continuation, possibly with adjustments.

The basis of the SWK’s work is a work programme coordinated in dialogue with the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs. Proposals for this programme may come either from within the SWK or from the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs.

• SWK Work Programme 2025–2027

The Commission develops its recommendations based on scientific expertise and independently of any political influence. Building on systematic research and the assessment of existing scientific findings, it describes problem areas, contextualizes developments, and formulates action-oriented recommendations for targeted measures, systemic reforms, and possible scenarios. Experts and perspectives from politics, administration, educational practice, and civil society are included through hearings.

The members of the SWK and the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs meet at least once a year for a joint session to discuss relevant topics, the work programme, and the SWK’s recommendations. The SWK presents its projects and results to the Commission for Quality Development and Educational Monitoring (KomQB). For issues that concern both the federal government and the states, the federal government is involved through existing federal-state committees and committees of the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs. For matters that concern both municipalities and states, the municipalities are involved.

To meet different requirements, the SWK has developed various advisory formats:

Expert Reports address comprehensive questions from multiple disciplinary perspectives and include recommendations for long-term measures and strategic developments. They are prepared in working groups with the involvement of external scientific expertise.

To respond more quickly, the SWK also uses other formats. Statements focus on a current issue and contain recommendations for short- and medium-term implementation. Discussion Papers (or Impulse Papers) address professional debates related to a specific measure, situation, or project with a call to action and develop strategic positions.

The SWK publishes its expert reports, statements, and discussion papers. All SWK publications are available on the website.

The SWK uses various event formats to present its recommendations to different target groups and the public. For each publication, SWK Talks are held regularly—an hour-long digital discussion format in which key recommendations from the publications are presented by Commission members and discussed with representatives from politics and practice. In addition, the SWK organizes expert days, where publications are discussed in workshops.

• Events and Dates