Abstract

The paper, based on a broad framework of interdisciplinary literature, we intend to discuss how, in the last decades, the concept of competence emerges in the educational field. First, we aim to propose a reconstruction of 'the journey' of competences in the various contest, discipline and in many different debates. Secondly, we introduce some models of competences that are emerging both at the international and at national level. Moreover, we discuss how the competences are assumed as measurement parameters within the large surveys at international level. Finally, some critical considerations on the topic are proposed.