Hessisches Kultusministerium Staatliches Schulamt für den Landkreis Gießen und den Vogelsbergkreis Hesse - Educational System Description of the basic structure Heinz Kipp January 2010

2 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.

3 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.

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

5 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....

6 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.

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 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.

9 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.

10 Gießen I

11 Organisation of School Administration Regional Authority (1) Regional Authority (2) Regional Authority(14) Regional Authority(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 Regional Authority „Gießen & Vogelsbergkreis“ Regional Authority „Gießen & Vogelsbergkreis“ ~ 2000 schools

12 Tasks of an Authority („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.

13 Professions & responsibility Inspectorate („ Gießen & Vogelsbergkreis“) 40 Administration staff 40 Administration staff 11 Quality Improvement Officers 11 Quality Improvement Officers 5 Psychologists 5 Psychologists 3 Lawyers 3 Lawyers Director of Education Director of Education 125 Schools 125 Schools Teachers Teachers Pupils/Students Pupils/Students

14 Inspectorate Gi/Vb – school data

15 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.

16 Region of the Authority Gi/Vb I „Landkreis Gießen“ and „Vogelsbergkreis“

17 Region of the Authority Gi/Vb II

18 Gießen II