In a context of unprecedented decline in the general level of French schoolchildren (cf. Pisa ranking 2023), particularly in mathematics and French, the Minister of National Education, Gabriel Attal, unveiled this December 5 the main measures of his school, middle and high school reform.
This government mobilization “for a clash of knowledge” is the result of consultation with education professionals. Thus, over two months, a mission made up of experts and professors interviewed nearly a hundred educational, scientific and union stakeholders. Furthermore, more than 230,000 teachers also responded to a digital consultation.
“School, middle school, high school: my wish is to restore standards at all levels. With science and common sense as a compass.”
Gabriel Attal, Minister of National Education
Reallocate authority to teaching staff
Among the main axes of the government battle plan is the refocusing ofprofessorial authority. Thus, from the first quarter of 2024, Gabriel Attal will publish a decree to reallocate (from primary school) the choice of repeating a year to the teaching team, “and no longer to families”, who can currently oppose it. The teaching team will then have two choices: offer a remedial internship/tutoring during the school holidays, or automatically offer a repeat year for students in great difficulty.
“These internships constitute real added value for students in difficulty,” underlined Gabriel Attal. In 2022, 40,000 volunteer teachers led them. “Their remuneration will now be doubled as part of the teaching pact, to €156 for 3 hours,” he said.
The “academic correction“, which makes it easier to obtain the certificate and the baccalaureate, will also be removed from next year. Only the teachers’ grades will then determine whether these diplomas are obtained.
More demanding level groups and diplomas
In order to reinforce the lessons in mathematics and in French, 6th and 5th grade students will be divided into three level groups from September 2024. The number of groups of students in difficulty will be limited to around “fifteen” young people, who will be able to change groups during the year. The same model will apply in 4th and 3rd years from the start of the 2025 school year.
Have obtained your patent will be a condition sine qua non to access high school. The most struggling students who do not obtain their certificate will be able to join a ‘prepa-high school’ class to consolidate their level.
Furthermore, a new math test will intervene at the end of the first in the tests of baccalaureate, from the 2026 session.
“No student will be left behind,” promises Gabriel Attal.
General subjects reinforced in vocational high school
Worn by Carole GrandjeanMinister Delegate in charge of Vocational Education and Training, the section dedicated to vocational high schools is just as ambitious.
Objective: to work harder in general subjects, because positioning tests show that upon entering the second vocational school, nearly 2/3 of students in vocational high schools present weaknesses in mathematics and French.
From the start of the 2024 school year, the general lessons of mathematics, of French and D’history geography will be strengthened. In second and firstvocational high school students will study mathematics and French “in small groups”.
And terminalsstudents will have a “substantially” increased hourly volume in general education, from September 2024.
Mentions for BP, CAP and additional mentions
“To recognize the success of all graduates, I wanted correct an injustice by allowing young people who obtain a CAP, a professional certificate or an additional mention to be awarded a diploma with honors“, announced Carole Grandjean.
“The promotion of routes also involves measures like these, highlighting their engagement and their excellence“, she continued.
This symbolic but essential measure responds to a long-standing request from teachers in vocational high schoolwho wanted to see diplomas revalued in people’s minds…
2023-12-05 16:47:12
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