1. 1 FINLAND

2. 2 Pre-1970s Volkschools (6 years) After year 4: o Some pupils to lower secondary (5 years) and then upper secondary (3 years) Inequality of opportunity Socially divisive Re-organised in 1970s

3. 3 Current system Age 6 Pre-school year Age 7-16 Comprehensive schools Post 16 Upper secondary schools Vocational schools

4. 4 Compulsory education Close to pupils’ homes Municipalities designate schools Exceptions:  Parental choice  Over-subscription  Helsinki

5. 5 Assessment / outcomes Continuous assessment Based on tests, classwork, homework Graded on a scale 4 (lowest) – 10 (highest) Pupil review Parents meetings No formal assessment or examinations Grades on 4-10 scale at end of compulsory education

6. 6 Secondary education 16+ Upper secondary schools  General education  Places for up to c.60% of pupils  Some schools specialise Vocational schools  Initial vocational education in a range of occupational fields

7. 7 Destinations: 2000 93% of pupils started post-compulsory education:  54% to general upper secondary schools  36% to vocational schools  3% took an optional 10 th year in lower secondary 7% did not immediately continue education

8. 8 Upper secondary: Admissions Minimum average mark of 7 Can apply to any school in Finland Schools can set higher level (eg 9.7) Admissions decisions based on marks and lottery Specialist schools – aptitude/ability for specialism – detailed application form

9. 9 Upper secondary:outcomes Upper secondary leaving certificate Entitlement to place in polytechnic Matriculation General eligibility for a university place

10. 10 Vocational schools 2-3 years to complete Balance between breadth of study and specialisation Can apply to any school in Finland Number of places limited No minimum marks Some courses heavily oversubscribed Criteria for admission  Priority if no previous vocational education  Success in previous studies  Work experience  Entrance and aptitude tests may be organised

11. 11 Vocational schools: outcomes Ongoing assessment of knowledge and skills by teacher (through coursework, homework etc) Final assessment by Teacher By the employer (for on the job training) Qualification certificate (confers entitlement to place in Polytechnic and general eligibility for university)

12. 12 Issues / concerns 7% of pupils do not continue formal education at 16 Increasing number with learning difficulties Disaffection among 13+ boys Some 15% of pupils underachieving Socio- economic background and standard of education of parents have an impact

13. 13 Reasons for success Pre-school support and pre-school education Pupils ready to learn Wide range of courses and subjects open to all Professional teaching body which has flexibility and responsibility Focus is on the learning needs of the children Key decisions about educational routes delayed until 16 Schools have autonomy and responsibility

14. 14 GERMANY

15. 15 LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK Not monolithic in nature Basic core common to all 16 Länder or states Responsibility for education lies with states not Federal Government

16. SCHOOL STAGES IN GERMANY Kindergarten (voluntary) 3 – 6 yrs Places for 90% children Compulsory Schooling 6 – 16 yrs Grundschule (Primary School) 6 – 9 yrs (grades 1-4) Lower Secondary 10 – 15 yrs (grades 5-10) Upper Secondary16 – 18 yrs (grades 11-13)

17. 17 LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOLS % grade 8 pupils HAUPTSCHULE - BASIC GENERAL EDUCATION 23% (preparation for work) REALSCHULE - MORE EXTENSIVE GENERAL EDUCATION 26% (preparation for work or further education) GYMNASIUM - INTENSIFIED GENERAL EDUCATION 29% (preparation for further education) GESAMTSCHULE - GENERAL EDUCATION LEADING TO DIFFERENT QUALIFICATIONS 9% (preparation for work or further education) OTHERS 13% [schools offering hauptschule and realschule 7%; sonderschule (special schools) 5%; Rudolph Steiner etc 0.6%]

18. 18 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN POST-PRIMARY SCHOOLS No academic, vocational, technical split pre – 16 yrs General education (allgemeinbildend) provided by all Schools Difference lies in: -pace and intensity of learning -no. of languages taken (1 in hauptschule, 2 in realschule, at least 2 in gymnasium, often 3)

19. 19 UPPER SECONDARY EDUCATION Gymnasiale oberstufe- in gymnasium or gesamtschule - leading to Abitur - 30% Vocational education - in fachoberschule (tech sec. and training school), berufsfachschule (vocational school) or berufsschule and workplace (dual system) - leading to vocational qualification, entry to higher education or employment - 70%

20. 20 SCHOOL LEAVERS BY QUALIFICATION (1999) Abitur (allgemeine hochschulreife) 25% Realschule leaving certificate 40% Hauptschule leaving certificate 26% Without hauptschule leaving certificate 9%

21. 21 TRANSFER Aim is to match child to education which meets needs and abilities After fourth year in primary school (grundschule) No transfer tests. Primary school makes recommendation but parent chooses Parent can ignore advice ( most L ä nder) or ask for formal test – trial period also possible in some L ä nder Concept is that choice valid only if it meets childs needs Want to avoid “foreseeable failure”

22. 22 TRANSFER: PRIMARY SCHOOL PERSPECTIVE Ongoing consultation with parents Information evening for parents in October Transfer conference in January – principal + class teacher(s) Parents can appeal: –1 or 2 in school each year –100 from 800 schools at regional level –rarely reach Ministry (land)

23. 23 TRANSFER: GRAMMAR SCHOOL PERSPECTIVE Hold information days If choose gymnasium without recommendation must be consultation 160 applications for 130 places 120 interviews (1 hour), reduced nos. to 132 Lessing gymnasium: –10% of 132 had Realschule recommendation –about ½ stayed to Abitur

24. 24 ORIENTATION PHASE (FÖRDERSTUFE) First 2 years in all schools, similar curriculum Assess suitability of child for education offered Ongoing assessment based on tests, homework, attitude etc. 6 point scale (grades 4 and above are a pass) Failure in 1 subject – another test Failure in 2 subjects – repeat or transfer

25. 25 FLEXIBILITY Sitzenbleiben (remaining stationary) –repeat year –cannot repeat same year twice or repeat more than twice between grades 5 – 10 –3.5% not promoted in Hessen –about 10-15% not promoted in grammar school visited –most held back proceed satisfactorily Transfer –25-30% leave grammar between entry and abitur –most transfer is downwards

26. 26 ADMISSIONS CRITERIA Regulations: 1.Proximity 2.Languages in order (English, Spanish) 3.Pursuing particular career 4.Aptitude in school specialism (specialist schools must be recognised by district) 5.Lottery Not allowed to decide on basis of achievement

27. 27 ADMISSIONS: PRACTICE Regulations ignored Use siblings, interviews Agree admissions between grammar schools to ensure get 1 of top 3 choices ½ local, ½ distant to get social mix (Hessen comp school) Comprehensive (NR Westphalia) –sex balance –20% foreigners (average in area) –pro-rata from primaries if possible –high and low ability

28. 28 OBSERVATIONS ON GERMAN SYSTEM Highly selective – match children to courses Clear concept of achieving standard/competence before progressing Flexible- school transfer - sitzenbleiben/repeating - almost 50 ways to gain Abitur Parity of esteem