Hessisches Kultusministerium Staatliches Schulamt für den Landkreis Gießen und den Vogelsbergkreis Hesse - Educational System Description of the basic structure Heinz Kipp Dennis Rothmann March 2005

2 Summary 1 Education System in Germany 2 School System in Hesse 3 Teacher Training 4 School Administration

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 Hesse  In the center of Europe.  One of the 16 federal states in Germany.  Nearly 6 million citizens.  The capital city is „Wiesbaden“.

6 Structure of the Hessian School System  Compulsory schooling lasts for 12 years –Full-time compulsory education is 9 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.  Refunding of transport fees....

7 Kindergarten & Vorklasse Grundschule kooper. Gesamt- schule integr. Gesamt- schule Berufliches Gymnasium Gym- nasium Real- schule Haupt- schule Berufsschule FOS BFS Universität & Weiterbildung schule Förder- Ober- stufe Overview Kindergarten & Vorklasse Grundschule kooper. Gesamt- schule integr. Gesamt- schule Berufliches Gymnasium Gym- nasium Real- schule Haupt- schule Berufsschule FOS BFS Universität & Weiterbildung age grade schule Förder- Ober- stufe Secondary level I Secondary level II Primary Education Tertiary Education

8 Kindergarten & Vorklasse [kindergarten & pre-school class]  Kindergarten is optional for children from the age of 3 to 5  Many primary schools („Grundschulen“) have 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.

9 Grundschule [primary school; elementary school]  The primary school (“Grundschule”) covers the first 4 years of school education.  Basic education is given, 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 either the 5th or 7th to 9th years and in some cases offers an optional 10th year.  At this type of school students acquire general education.  According to their choice of main subjects and their leaving qualifications, they may continue their education either in vocational courses or in further education courses.

11 Realschule [brit: ~ secondary school leading to 0-levels, am: ~ junior high school]  The “Realschule” consists of the 5th or 7th to 10th years.  After receiving a general education the students may continue their education in vocational as well as further education. This depends on their choice of main subjects and their leaving qualifications.  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 not only to offer general education and to enable students to enter university but also to give students the opportunity to enrol in vocational training as well. This depends on their qualifications and main subject choice.  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”.

13 Kooperative Gesamtschule (KGS) I [cooperative comprehensive school]  In a comprehensive school (“Gesamtschule”), “Haupt- schule”, “Realschule” and “Gymnasium” are combined organisationally as well as pedagogically.  The cooperative comprehensive school normally starts with the 5th and 6th years which is called the “Förder- stufe”. The structure allows students not only to participate in joint lessons of all the three school forms but also to participate in lessons of one particular school form. This depends on their ability. 

14 Kooperative Gesamtschule (KGS) II [cooperative comprehensive school]  The different school types act as interdependent branches ensuring a maximum of cooperation and integration.  The structure allows common lessons of all school types as well as the students’ participation in lessons of different branches according to their accomplishments and abilities.

15 Integrative Gesamtschule (IGS) [integrated comprehensive school]  In the integrated comprehensive school the educational offers of all three school forms are combined.  Its organisation enables the students to choose their main subjects according to their ability. They are streamed in these subjects and work together with students of the same level.

16 Förderschule [special school]  The special schools (“Förderschulen”) offer care and support for children who need special pedagogic help to develop 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 with special needs may achieve more than is expected of them. In the past few years children with special needs have also been supported within the general school types to enable them to remain there.

17 Berufsfachschulen (BFS) [~ technical school]  A “Berufsfachschule” offers full-time courses lasting at least one year.  The students may attend without previous vocational training or employment.  The students receive vocational and general education and acquire qualifications such as a vocational training certificate or diploma.  Some “Berufsfachschulen” lead to an equivalent of a “Mittlerer Abschluss” whereas others require a “Mittlerer Abschluss” as condition of entry. 

18 Fachoberschulen (FOS) [~ technical college]  Covering the years 11 and 12, the “Fachoberschulen” may be attended after an [~] intermediate high school certificate or diploma. After vocational training a certificate or diploma enabling a student to attend college can be achieved.  They are differentiated according to fields of training and structure of organisation.

19 Berufsschule [vocational school]  The “Berufsschule” is the centre for vocational training.  The students obtain general vocational and technical education as well as additional general knowledge.  The “Berufsschule” also forms one component of the Dual System (the students attend part of their vocational training in school, where they obtain theoretical knowledge, whereas training on the job takes place in an enterprise or a workshop).

20 Berufliches Gymnasium [vocational grammar or high school]  The vocational grammar or high school (“Berufliches Gymnasium”) offers the possibility to obtain the leaving certificate GCE A-levels [brit.], senior high school graduation diploma [am.] while simultaneously completing vocational training in a chosen field. These certificates give access to university.

21 Teacher Training in Hesse 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.

22 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.

23 Organisation of School Administration Inspectorate (1) Inspectorate (2) Inspectorate (14) Inspectorate (15) Office for Teacher Training Office for Teacher Training Institute for quality development Institute for quality development Hessian Ministry of Education and Cultural affairs Hessian Ministry of Education and Cultural affairs Inspectorate „Gießen & Vogelsbergkreis“ Inspectorate „Gießen & Vogelsbergkreis“ ~ 2000 schools

24 Tasks of an Inspectorate („Staatliches Schulamt“) The organisation, improvement and maintainance of the school system. The organisation, improvement and maintainance of the school system. Ensuring that those responsible for the organisation and management of the school and its staff carry out their duties. Ensuring that those responsible for the organisation and management of the school and its staff carry out their duties. The promotion of good teaching. The promotion of good teaching. Enhancing the schools‘ own sense of responsibility. Enhancing the schools‘ own sense of responsibility. Supervision of staff & acadamic Supervision. Supervision of staff & acadamic Supervision. Employment, movement and care of the teachers. Employment, movement and care of the teachers.

25 Professions & responsibility Inspectorate („ Gießen & Vogelsbergkreis“) 40 Administration staff 40 Administration staff 11 Inspectors (LSAD) 11 Inspectors (LSAD) 5 Psychologists 5 Psychologists 3 Lawyers 3 Lawyers Head {Heinz Kipp} Head {Heinz Kipp} 136 Schools 136 Schools Teachers Teachers Pupils/Students Pupils/Students

26 Inspectorate Gi/Vb – school data

27 Special tasks of the Inspectorate Gi/Vb Responsibility for school for adults in Hesse. Responsibility for school for adults in Hesse. Organisation and certification of „Graecum“ „Hebraicum“ & „Latinum“. Organisation and certification of „Graecum“ „Hebraicum“ & „Latinum“. Nonpupil examinations. Nonpupil examinations.

28 Region of the Inspectorate Gi/Vb I „Landkreis Gießen“ and „Vogelsbergkreis“

29 Region of the Inspectorate Gi/Vb II

30 Gießen I

31 Gießen II

32 Thank you for your attention!

33 Literature Kretschmer, Heinz-Jörg [2004]: The Educational System in Hessen/Germany. Secretariat of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany - KMK [2003]: Basic Structure of the Education System in the Federal Republic of Germany. The Standing International Conference of Central and General Inspectorates of Education – SICI [2001]: Hessen – The Education System. made by: Heinz Kipp & Dennis Rothmann March 2005