France’s Educational System La France France’s Educational System

Comparison of the educational system in France and in the U.S France’s system has four basic levels of compulsory school for students ages six through sixteen. From nursery school to higher education, families have the option of sending their children to free and coeducational public schools, or to pay for private ones. If parents choose public schooling they must choose one of the schools in their neighborhood. The local city hall (mairie) will tell the parent what the options are.

The Levels: France- Maternelle Ecole Primarie Collège Lycée Université U.S.- Daycare and Pre-k Primary School or Elementary School Middle School High School College or University

The set up: Maternelle (level 1) In France: 2-3 yrs old Maternelle (petite section) 3-4 yrs old Maternelle 4-5 yrs old Maternelle (moyenne section) 5-6 yrs old Maternelle (grande section) In the U.S.: 2-3 yrs old Preschool (Daycare) 3-4 yrs old Preschool 4-5 yrs old Pre-K (depends on the state) 5-6 yrs old Kindergarten

Maternelle- More that Free Daycare Pre-primary education was created in 1881 for ages 3-6. Although it is not compulsory, virtually all 3 year-old children attend nursery school, the majority in the public school system. Nursery school is the strong point of the French education system and what sets it apart from other systems. It also makes primary education more effective. Nursery school teachers have the same training as primary school teachers and can teach in all primary education grades.

Ecole Primarie- Elementary or primary school (level 2) 6-7 yrs old Onzième (CP) 7-8 yrs old Dixième (CE1) 8-9 yrs old Neuvième (CE2) 9-10 yrs old Huitème (CM1) 10-11 yrs old Septième (CM2) 6-7 yrs old 1st grade 7-8 yrs old 2nd grade 8-9 yrs old 3rd grade 9-10 yrs old 4th grade 10-11 yrs old 5th grade

Collège- Middle school or Junior High school (level 3) 11-12 yrs old Sizième 12-13 yrs old Cinquième 13-14 yrs old Quatrième 14-15 yrs old Troisième 11-12 yrs old 6th grade 12-13 yrs old 7th grade 13-14 yrs old 8th grade

Comparisons Up through the 8th grade the French grade levels correspond to an American grade level. Then there is one more year in the French Collège than in the traditional American Middle School. This is similar to school that keep the 9th grade at the middle school. Did you notice that the French grade levels count down to graduation, not up like in the U.S.? For example 6th grade is 6eme (Sizième), but 8th grade is 4eme (Quatrième).

Brevet- Middle School Diploma Test When French students finish the last year of Collège (Middle School), they must pass a final exam to move on to high school. 50% of their score is based on the final year grades (3ème or 9th grade) and the other 50% of their score is based on a test over French, mathematics, and history/geography.

Lycèe- High School (level 4) France- 15-16 yrs old Seconde 16-17 yrs old Première 17-18 yrs old Terminale U.S.- 14-15 yrs old 9th grade 15-16 yrs old 10th grade 16-17 yrs old 11th grade 17-18 yrs old 12th grade

Le Bac- It’s a big deal! At 15 or 16 the more academic children go to the “lycèe” to prepare for the “baccalaurèat” (commonly called the bac). It marks the successful conclusion of secondary studies and opens access to higher education. The bac is the high school graduation test taken at age 18 or 19 which guarantees entry into the university system. The entire three years is spent in preparation for this one test. It is much more difficult that American standardized tests.

Which Bac? Students pick a major in high school and then take the corresponding Bac for their chosen major. If they pass the bac, they are assigned the closest university that specializes in their major. A portion of university tuition is funded by the state so tuition cost are very low. Student can choose from many different types of Bac (or series of Bac) but most take the baccalaurèat général and choose from one of the three general series.

Three General Bac Series Séries Scientifique (S) is concerned with natural sciences, physics, and/or math. Séries Economique et Sociale (ES) deals with social sciences Séries Littéraire (L) focuses on French and foreign languages as well as philosophy.

No Bac? If a student does not receive (pass) his or her “bac” they may not attend a French University. Failing students may repeat their senior year and re-take the bac one time. The less academically inclined student does not go to the general lycée nor take the bac. They attend a vocational school or get practical training.

Higher Education- 2 systems Open system- Most students study under this system. All bac holders have the right to enter this system without any prior selection procedure. Universities offer an extremely wide range of studies. This differs from the U.S., in there is no selection process, only a qualification process. Selective system- This system has a limited number of places. Admission is by competitive examination, entrance applications, and interviews. These are the “grandes ecoles” (similar to our “Ivey League” universities). This system is more like the system we have in the U.S. based on competition.

Private Schools In France, one primary student out of 7 attends private school. The ratio for middle and high school is one out of every 5 students attends private school. Private schooling is less costly than in the U.S. due to government funding of private schools. In return for public funding, French private schools must adhere to requirements and public service obligations that limit the freedom they have.

Private Education Under Contract Two-thirds of private schools operate under “partnership contracts” and the remaining third operate under a “simple contract” that is less binding but provides fewer subsides as well. In a school under partnership contracts, the central government pays the salaries of teachers and other staff. The local government pays for the running of the school, equivalent to the aid it grants public schools. However, the families bear the cost of facilities and religious activities.

Private School Contracts In order for a private school to meet the more popular “partnership” contract, they must meet the following requirements: It must meet a recognized educational need. Its facilities must be adequate. It must have a faculty-student ratio that corresponds to the public It must hire teachers with the same qualifications and degrees required of public school teachers.

The Politics Traditionally, France had a very centralized educational system. For the past 10 years France has been engaged in a process of decentralization. Today the national government is still in charge (for all levels of public education) of: Implementing educational policy National education curricula (objectives) Recruitment, training, and salaries of teachers Setting the school calendar (based on zones)

Tier System Local control is a new concept for the French. Through the decentralization process the educational system has been broken down into four tiers: Local authority (or communes) are responsible for primary and nursery school building equipment and maintenance, and the paying of non-teaching staff. Departments are responsible for building, equipping, and maintaining middle schools (collèges), and financing the school transportation system. Regions have these same responsibilities for the high schools (lycées) and contribute to education planning. The National Education Minister- is responsible for everything else!

New Responsibilities The departments and regions (collèges and the lycées only) can now draw up an “establishment project”, which determines how the school will implement the national objectives. Departmental and communal assemblies have substantial budgets of their own. Today they fund about 20% of the total cost of education.

Challenges France faces many of the same educational challenges as the U.S. France is very diverse, however, there is a growing immigrant population without the necessary skills to be successful in the French culture. The Outline Act of April 23rd 2005 for the future of French schools is the result of extensive national debate. It ensures the equal opportunities and success for all students by establishing a common knowledge base (mastery of the French language, mathematics, a foreign language, information and communication technologies, humanist culture) and integrating more young people into the working world.

€ France’s National Educational Budget In 2005, domestic education spending totaled €117.9 billion, which is the equivalent of 6.9% of the GNP, the average highest out of all the OECD countries. In 2005-2006, there were 15 million students in public and private sector education combined. The national educational budget amounts to €66 million or 23.31% or the overall national budget The French government spends €6,970 per student (about $9,827 with exchange rate $1.41 per Euro).

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References: French Embassy http://www.ambafrance-us.org French Ministry of Foreign Affairs http://www.education.gouv.fr Wikipedia- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_France