Hauptschule

A "Hauptschule" ( _de. general school) is a secondary school in Germany and Austria, starting after 4 years of elementary schooling. Any student who went to a German elementary school can go to a Hauptschule afterwards, whereas students who want to attend a Realschule or Gymnasium need to have good marks in order to do so. The students spend five-six years at the Hauptschule, from 5th to 9th (or 10th) grade. They finish at about age 15-16.

Basics

The main aim of the Hauptschule is to prepare young students for life and focus on practical matters, in contrast to the "Gymnasium" which concentrates on the more academic topics and wants to prepare its students for going to the university afterwards. As a result, the classes in the Hauptschule concentrate on the basics in mathematics, physics/chemistry, biology, geography, history, introduction to the world of work ("Arbeitslehre"), religion (or a substitute subject), music, art, politics, sport and language. From the first year of Hauptschule, all children learn English. Once students have obtained their leaving certificate at the age of 15/16, they can go into practical vocational training, start work in the public service at basic or secretarial level, or attend a Berufsfachschule (full-time vocational school). The jobs for which they apply consequently do require practical skills rather than academic knowledge. They also can qualify for further education in a "Realschule" or "Gymnasium" if their marks are good enough.

Problems

Hauptschule students have come to be increasingly stigmatized in German culture over the last years, the opinion of the general public often being that Hauptschulen only harbor the bottom end of society. The graduation certificate is the Hauptschulabschluss, which like the assignment to other types high schools is less valuable than the Realschulabschluss or university-bound Abitur. However in some regions such as North Rhine-Westphalia students which do well in Hauptschule receive the Realschulabschluss. Students holding a Realschulabschluss are allowed to participate in classes at the Gymnasium. They can get their Abitur there. Stereotypes of dysfunctional family backgrounds, absent and/or unemployed parents and domestic violence and alcohol abuse are often cited when describing what is believed to be the typical social origin of these students. Teachers often complain about ongoing difficulties in trying to properly educate them and parents refusing to take responsibility. Moreover, and based on these problems, it has become very hard for Hauptschule graduates to find qualified work or begin an apprenticeship, even in professions which traditionally welcomed them and have now shifted their focus to better qualified applicants, e.g. mechanics, construction or sales. In some areas, an overwhelming majority of each graduating class is therefore forced to accept low-paying unskilled labor or live on welfare indefinitely; many choose to stay in school for another year to obtain their Realschule diploma, which slightly, but not fundamentally, improves their career prospects.

Similarities to other countries

In the United States, most schools are comprehensive high schools which educate students of all ability ranges as the concept of tracking by test score was largely abandoned there by the 21st century. However, some school districts such as the Renton School District maintain separate schools for students who do not succeed in the comprehensive school, usually students who get the lowest test score results. Although most US students get uniform diplomas, some states are adopting high school graduation examinations with very high standards. Although Marc Tucker of the NCEE designed the Certificate of Initial Mastery around the German education model and the age of 16, most US states expect all students to meet one high passing standard, and tests are used to insure success for all rather than sorting between types of high schools. High school is mandatory to age 16, but those who leave before receiving a diploma at 18 are considered to be dropouts with a dismal future. All students must graduate with skills necessary to succeed in college even if not college bound. It is thought that the incentive of losing a diploma will provide enough incentive to make this a reality, though some critics doubt that this was ever a practical idea. Students who do not pass these tests either will receive no diploma, or alternate documents indicating that they did not meet minimal state standards for graduation.

History

Hauptschulen were first introduced in West Germany in 1950 and are now a part of secondary education in Germany, the other Schools being the "Gymnasium" for the university-bound and the "Realschule" for workers who need specialized technical training.

References