Gabriel Attal announced new measures to raise the level of French students. The question of repeating a year is one of them and the decision would be up to the teachers.
The PISA results published by the OECD on December 5, 2023 reveal a historic decline in the level of students in mathematics. To raise their level, particularly in middle school, the Minister of National Education Gabriel Attal announced new measures to combat “the risk of academic divide” including the establishment of new programs, the provision of textbooks schools in classes and the overhaul of the college as well as the certificate.
“Teachers will have the last word on repeating a year”
The issue of grade repetition is also one of the major projects. The minister poses a new principle: “the decision belongs to the teachers” who will have “the last word in matters of repeating a year”, he announced during a press conference. Two possibilities will then be offered at the end of the year:
- a conditional passagewith remediation such as APCs, tutoring or success courses during school holidays.
- or repeating a year for students in great difficulty. “It is better to pass primary school in 6 years than to fail it in 5 years” believes Gabriel Attal who reminds us that repeating a year is not a sanction.
The question of repeating a year is based on scientific studies, argues the Ministry of National Education. But according to the National Center for the Study of School Systems, “In the majority of studies, grade repetition has no effect on long-term academic performance. On the contrary, it would have a negative effect “on educational trajectories and remains the best determinant of dropping out”.
No repetition in kindergarten
Remember that until now, repeating a year is not possible in nursery school. Your child may, however, be required to skip a class following the teachers’ council which takes place at the end of the school year. During the last term, this most often offers a move to a higher class or, more occasionally, a class skip when the child demonstrates great ease in learning. Only one class skip is generally possible during a student’s schooling, whether in nursery or primary school. At the end of the large section, a learning booklet bringing together the child’s achievements during their three years of kindergarten is given to parents.
In elementary school, repetition is exceptional
If repeating a year is possible in elementary school, it nevertheless remains exceptional. On the other hand, as in kindergarten, class skipping is possible. Here again, a council of teachers meets at the end of each term and, at the end of the last term, decides whether the child will move to the next class, repeat a year or skip a class. Repeating a year is proposed on the advice of the National Education Inspector and after discussion with parents, in the event that the student is experiencing major learning difficulties. It will then be accompanied by specific educational measures such as a personalized educational success program for the student. The proposal to repeat a year is then sent to the parents. Finally, at the end of primary school, the council meets to decide whether the child will move on to middle school.
How does repeating a year work in college?
In middle school, at the end of each school year, the class council makes orientation decisions after a dialogue with families. The student then either moves to a higher class, or a repeat year may be exceptionally offered. This is considered when an educational support system has not made it possible to put an end to a student’s significant learning difficulties. Likewise, a repetition of a year must be, as in primary school, accompanied by specific educational measures for the student in order to make the most of this year of repetition.