A Share in the International Marketplace

Before we continue with our look at some of the education models that are different from our own (meaning the United States), it is interesting to note that since the last blog installment, we had the pleasure (or not) of witnessing the third and final Presidential Debate. While much like the first two debates, which were extremely difficult to get through, during this final debate, if you listened very carefully and were able to blot out the noise, you may have actually heard something that until this point in the election cycle has been largely absent. The very elusive subject of education was, albeit for a fleeting moment, mentioned by both candidates. Candidate (A) mentioned that the focus of their education reform policy is aimed at “getting rid of” Common Core. Now depending on your own point of view may or may not have some merit however, like many of Candidate (A)’s policies, they are lacking one important ingredient; DETAILS. Is the candidate speaking from a standpoint of a working knowledge of the Common Core Curriculum or was it something they simply heard on the Rush Limburg radio show? You’ll just have to be the judge of that based on your knowledge of Candidate (A). Now representing the other political party, Candidate (B) mentioned a few points which, by the way, seem to be much more in line with what I have been discussing. These points include; more affordable college, expanded preschool opportunities, skill training and apprenticeships, all of which would be intricate parts of a well developed education reform program. While Candidate (B) did not elaborate on those pesky little details that are often missing from their political rhetoric, the topics at least, were encouraging.

However, the topics of “skill training” and “apprenticeship” are not new. Candidates for public office, labor organizations and Departments of Labor have been talking about these issues for years. That’s just it. All this time has past and no real action has been taken to institutionalize any real reform that includes these pathways. This is unfortunate and all the rhetoric needs to be turned into policy. As we look further into some of the international education models we will begin to see how other countries have been able to make early education, applied academics, skills training and apprenticeship part of their compulsory education systems. I believe also that we will begin to understand how these educational policies have paid off in terms of how students in many of these countries measure up against students from around the world. In many instances the countries that are consistently rated higher educationally have highly skilled workforces and are better positioned to compete in the global market.

Now after discussing the current political educational landscape, I would like to shift back to our exploration into the educational models of countries that the United States is currently competing with for a share in the international marketplace. For the purpose of this installment, I have chosen two countries with which we have great diplomatic relationships; Germany and Switzerland. Each of these two countries have extremely strong “precision manufacturing” capabilities and are extremely competitive on the increasingly technologic markets. Precision machine tools, advanced automotive technology and other techno-products require a highly skilled workforce to produce. These two countries are among several that have found a way to prepare their workers for the global economy. Frankly, because they began this process decades ago, they are now more prepared than many of the other countries that may have larger internal economies but find it hard to compete internationally. How could this be? The United States of America is the greatest country on Earth, right? Well the answer is simple. While the United States was busy reacting to the fact that it was finding it harder and harder to compete by switching from and manufacturing based economy to a service based economy, other countries were educating their workforce.

So the question is; how have these two countries (Germany and Switzerland) been preparing their particular citizenry to become a highly skilled workforce that has been for some time, extremely competitive on the global market? While it is a little more complicated than I may portray it to be however, I will give you the main steps on which their respective education models are based.

In Germany much like here in the United States the education of its young people is left to the individual states. However, most are based on the basic principles of early education for all children beginning as early as age 0 and continuing through at least grade 16 (2-year college or vocational degree). The following is the basic pathway each German school age child will be required to take:

Ages 0 – 3

Children under the age of 3 are enrolled nurseries called Kinderkrippen or parents have the option of finding private childcare or nannies.

Ages 3 – 6

Children attend Kindergartens or Kitas. Some Kitas are state-sponsored, while others are run by the Catholic and Protestant churches, or are private. Parents can find many different kindergarten models for their children. Some schools operate almost solely outdoors. They’re called Waldkindergarten or forest kindergartens and are becoming progressively more popular. Children spend almost the entire day outside and learn about the natural world. Other kindergartens focus on international education and offer instruction in additional languages like English.

Grade 1 – 4

When children are six years old, the German government requires them to begin attending elementary school called Grundschule. The school day usually lasts until around noon and children usually spend around 20 to 30 hours per week in class. They will take classes at a Grundschule until they are around ten years old or in the fourth grade. At this point, parents and teachers evaluate the academic achievement of the children and decide what secondary school is the best fit.

At this point it is important to know that there are a couple of differences between Germany’s education model and that of the United States. In Germany for instance the school day is considerably shorter. School children attend classes only in the mornings and there is little opportunity for after school activities. There is some movement toward full day schools however, there are only a few throughout the country. The second significant difference is when it is time for students to enter grade five they move into the secondary level based on their individual academic achievement and interests. It is interesting to note that only a handful of schools in Germany combine classes of students with different academic abilities. When it is time for students to move into the secondary level, there are four main types of secondary programs.

Grade 5 – 9

Hauptschule

Students attend from grade five until grade nine or ten. Students take the same courses as at other secondary schools, but the focus is more on vocational training and hands-on learning. The courses are also taught at a slightly slower pace. The education often concludes with enrollment at a part-time vocational school, along with an apprenticeship, lasting until the age of 18.

Grades 5 – 10

Realschule

Runs from grade five to grade ten and concludes in part-time or full-time vocational school. Students may also go on to higher vocational training at a Berufschule. Some very high achieving students can now also switch to the Gymnasium, Germany’s most academically challenging secondary school, when they are in the tenth grade.

Grades 5 – 13

Gymnasium

For those students who plan to continue on to university or who want to receive a dual academic and vocational degree, the Gymnasium is the best choice. Students typically attend Gymnasium from grade five until grade 13, though same states have shortened the length of study to end at grade 12. Gymansium curriculum is different school to school but most offer a variety of classes including chemistry, biology, physics, history, philosophy, computer science, German, mathematics, social studies and foreign languages. Gymansium students receive a final degree called an Abitur, or Abi. The Abi is necessary for university admission.

Grades 5 – 9/10

Gesamtschule

Another type of secondary school available in some German states is called the Gesamtschule, or comprehensive school. The Gesamtschule accepts students of all academic abilities and awards those students who finish in the ninth grade a Haputchule degree and those who finish in the tenth grade a Realschule degree.

Now while there are a few significant differences between the German model and that of the United States such as: Early Education Programs for all beginning from infancy, shorter school days, real choices for parents and students at the secondary level based on a honest assessment of the students academic level and their individual interests, the big difference as it pertains to developing their county’s workforce comes when students (young adults) are ready to move beyond the secondary level. At that point, students have different options depending on the degree they have received.

Post Secondary Pathway I

Students who have attended either the Hauptschule or Realschule can then go on to a Berufschule, which pairs academic study with apprenticeships. Once the apprenticeship is complete, students who pass their final exams will be awarded with a certificate for a specific line of work. This curriculum is overseen by the federal government, trade unions, and industry organizations.

Post Secondary Pathway II

Students who pass the Abi at the end of secondary school may apply at universities. There are a few different university models including classical universities, which offer a broad selection of coursework and a final Bachelor’s degree and Technische Hochschulen which are four-year technical universities geared toward students who want to work in more specific careers. Hochschulen specialize in the creative fields like art and music.

When it comes to the development of an highly skilled and subsequently highly paid workforce the post-secondary model described above is where the rubber meet the road. Once we all understand how this system works, we will then understand why countries like Germany, among others, are better positioned to compete in the world economy. Everyone in there respective countries are given the opportunity to study and ultimately succeed at achieving at their individual “God Given Potential” There are no economic or cultural barriers that can keep one from being successful. There is indeed a place for everyone in the workforce regardless of your socio-economic status. The government succeeds when its people succeed. What a simple and novel idea. Why didn’t we in the United States that of it? Why is everything we do based on profit and political correctness?

My fellow citizens of the greatest country on earth, I for one have not given up! We can be culturally understanding, in fact we can make cultural differences work for us in a positive way. We can let kids living in our poorest of cities know that money and status will not keep you from succeeding. I believe we can compete in the ever changing and increasingly technical economy. But we need to make some very difficult decisions about changing our educational system. Public education must be available to everyone from their first entrance into an early education program through a four-year university degree. The United States must make education the second largest investment behind national defense. States that receive federal money for education must provide for the education of their residents from cradle to college graduation.

Placing high tariffs on imports is not the answer to our trade deficit. Being able to compete on the world market by making our products better and more efficiently will keep us in the game. Demand for our goods by countries around the globe will save our future and our children’s future.

I know I promised to discuss Switzerland’s education model however, my rant went a little longer than I anticipated, but there is always next time.

Information about Germany’s education system in this article was retrieved from:
http://www.young-germany.de/topic/study/the-german-school-system-explained