1 Bavaria & North Rhine-Westphalia Educational System Description of the basic Structure

2 Summary 1 Educational System in Germany 2 School System in Bavaria and North Rhine- Westphalia 3 Teacher Training 4 Creative teaching methods

3 Legal structure and background The german constitution (“Grundgesetz”) guarantees: In addition it commits the education system to the democratic principles of the constitutional and welfare state. The freedom of choice regarding school, job training and employment. The freedom of choice regarding school, job training and employment. The rights of parents in the upbringing of their children. The rights of parents in the upbringing of their children. The state supervision of education.

4 Federal System  Autonomy in educational and cultural affairs.  The Education System is the responsibility of the Federal States Ministries of Education, Cultural Affairs, and Science.  They implement state laws concerning education.  The Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education (“Kultusministerkonferenz (KMK)”) in Germany co- ordinates educational policy between the federal states.

5 Bavaria  In the south of Germany.  One of the 16 federal states in Germany.  Nearly 12.5 million citizens.  The capital city is Munich. North Rhine-Westphalia  In the west of Germany.  One of the 16 federal states in Germany.  Nearly 18 million citizens.  The capital city is Düsseldorf.

6 Structure of the Bavarian and the North Rhine- Westphalian School System  Compulsory schooling lasts for 12 years –Full-time compulsory education is 9/10 years (compulsory general education). –Subsequent period of part-time compulsory education is 3 years (compulsory vocational education).  Transfer between school types and the recognition of school-leaving qualifications is basically guaranteed.  Free supply of didactic material. Parents have to contribute to didactic material.  Refunding of transport fees to the nearest school.

7 Overview

8 Kindergarten & Vorklasse [kindergarten & pre-school class]  „Kindergarten“ is optional for children in the age from 3 to 5 years.  Many primary schools („Grundschulen“) contain pre- school classes for children who are of school age but have not yet reached a sufficient stage of development to enter the primary school.  There they receive special care to prepare them for the first year of the primary school. There are no pre-school classes in North Rhine- Westphalia

9 Grundschule [primary school; elementary school]  The primary school (“Grundschule”) covers the first 4 years of school education.  Basic education is imparted, forming the basis for the following course of education.  Emphasis is put on developing the pupils’ capabilities and interests as well as promoting their motivation and enthusiasm.

10 Hauptschule [~ extended elementary school]  The “Hauptschule” comprises the 5th to 9th years and in some cases offers an optional 10th year. The “Hauptschule” comprises the 5th to 10th years.  At this type of school students acquire general education.  According to their choice of main subjects and their leaving certificates, they may continue their course of education chiefly in vocational courses, but also in further education courses.

11 Realschule [brit: ~ secondary school leading to 0-levels, am: ~ junior high school]  The “Realschule” consists of the 5th to 10th years.  After acquiring general education, the students may continue their course of education in vocational as well as in further education courses according to their choice of main subjects and their leaving certificates.  Students graduate with a intermediate high school certificate or diploma (“Mittlerer Bildungsabschluss”).

12 Gymnasium [ brit: ~ grammar school or classical secondary school, am.: ~ high school]  The “Gymnasium’s” purpose is to impart general education and to enable the students to enter university but also to enrol in vocational training according to their accomplishments and choice of main subjects.  The students obtain the leaving certificate GCE A-levels [brit.], senior high school graduation diploma [am.]. (“Abitur” or “Allgemeine Hochschulreife”).  The years 11 to 13(12) form the “Gymnasiale Oberstufe”.. The years 10 to 12 form the “Gymnasiale Oberstufe”.

13 Gesamtschule [ brit: ~ comprehensive school, am.: ~ high school]  The “Gesamtschule’s” purpose is to impart general education and to enable the students to enter either vocational training after the 10th year or to enrol to the “Gymnasiale Oberstufe”.  The students obtain the leaving certificate of the “Hauptschule” or “Realschule”.  The years 11 to 13(12) form the “Gymnasiale Oberstufe”. The years 10 to 12 form the “Gymnasiale Oberstufe”.

14 Förderschule [special school]  The special schools (“Förderschulen”) offer care and support for children who need special pedagogic help for developing their physical, emotional, intellectual, and social abilities.  A further development of special schools into counselling and support centres (“Beratungs­ und Förderzentren”) will extend the special care range.  The experience at special schools has shown that children and juveniles with a need for special care may achieve more than is expected of them. In the past few years children and juveniles with special needs have also been supported within the general school types to enable them to remain there.

15 Teacher Training in Bavaria University studies leading to the first state exam for teachers University studies leading to the first state exam for teachers Initial Teacher Training (2 years preparatory phase „Referendariat“) with courses, seminars and teaching, leading to the second state exam for teachers Initial Teacher Training (2 years preparatory phase „Referendariat“) with courses, seminars and teaching, leading to the second state exam for teachers In-service Teacher Training  Due to the autonomy of Germany’s 16 federal states, types and duration of Teacher Training vary widely.

16 Teacher status  Most teachers are civil servants with life tenure.  They are qualified to teach certain subjects at a specific type of school, and this determines their pay scale.

Two examples of creative teaching methods  “Roundabout” Discussion Purpose: - to get in the right mood for a topic; get to know previous knowledge; prejudice, … or - to check what the students have learnt; gained Setting: (20 – 30 minutes) - 2 groups of students with a list of statements or questions sitting in 2 circles right opposite each other and talking/discussing Product: - questions, tasks, … - to find out about problems, unanswered questions, … 17

18  “Workshop for the future” Purpose: - to evoke and stimulate the fantasy of students to find solutions for problems Setting: (quite a long time) - first step: defining the problem (what goes wrong) - second step: to imagine, to word visions/solutions - third step: to confront the vision with reality; start action Evaluation: - what has to/ can be changed by whom? - what is my part?

19 Thank you for your attention! Vilnius, October 5 th, 2010 (HHansHans-Joachim Gruel, Barbara Klemm, Hermann Rogowski)