- One hour more in German and Mathematics - new language tests
North Rhine-Westphalia boosts basic competencies in primary schools: From the second semester of the next school year, there will be an additional lesson for German and mathematics in each grade. School Minister Dorothee Feller (CDU) announced this in Düsseldorf.
In addition, primary schools across the state will be provided with a new testing procedure in the fall to systematically assess the language skills of children upon enrollment. The instrument, developed by the University of Halle-Wittenberg, has been scientifically tested and is already in use for primary school enrollments in Berlin and Brandenburg, Feller explained.
"To be fair, children today start school with vastly different language skills," said Feller. "But if a significant portion of newly enrolled children do not speak and understand German well enough to participate in class, our teachers cannot compensate for this alone in the long run."
In the future, all children will be tested against the same standards. "This means relief for teachers, who no longer have to create their own tests," said Feller.
The new testing procedure will be implemented in primary schools throughout North Rhine-Westphalia, aiding in the assessment of children's language skills upon enrollment. Consequently, the school curriculum may need to accommodate students with varying language abilities, ensuring a more equitable learning environment in primary schools.
