Picture 1Credits: Ivan – stock.adobe.com
Repetition in elementary, middle and high school
In elementary school, the teacher’s council (the school principal, school teachers, substitute teachers, members of the specialized support network that intervene in the school) can now “decide” and no longer just “propose” the repetition of a grade. Parents who object to this decision can submit a written request to the department’s appeals committee within 15 days through the school principal.
In kindergarten, repeating classes is impossible.
In middle and high school, repeating a grade can be decided by the director of the institution, as was the case before, after the subject has been decided by the class council and after a discussion with the student and his parents. On the other hand, it is no longer determined that the decision to repeat the year can only be made “exceptionally”.
During secondary education, a student can repeat a class only once. A second repeater is possible only if he experienced an interruption of education.
Groups of mathematics and French students in high school
French and mathematics classes will take place in groups formed according to the needs and skills of the students:
- from the 2024-2025 school year. for 6th and 5th grades;
- from the 2025-2026 school year. for 4th and 3rd grade classes.
These groups will consist of heads of institutions and teaching teams, who must take care of:
- assessment results at the beginning of the year at the university;
- possible assessments common to different groups that are carried out at different times of the year.
The composition of the groups must be reviewed during the school year to take into account:
- student progress;
- specific support that each student may need depending on this or that chapter of the school curriculum.
Groups consisting of students with the greatest difficulties must be reduced; The Ministry of Education specifies that “the number of about fifteen students can, in this sense, represent a relevant goal”.
For 1 to 10 weeks, which can be distributed throughout the school year, the organization of groups can be interrupted; students will then have French and math lessons in their regular class. These moments should especially allow teachers to examine the level that students have reached and the needs of each one of them; thus, they will be able to form groups for the following periods.
The school program taught, as well as the list of skills and knowledge acquired at the end of the school year, will be identical for all groups.
Preparatory class for second grade
During the 2024/2025 school year. a preparatory class for the second grade will be set up experimentally; it will be intended for 3rd year students who did not receive a certificate but were admitted to the 2nd year. The certificate will therefore be essential for direct enrollment in secondary school, whether in the general and technological or vocational sector. Preparatory classes for the second grade will be established in secondary schools. In each department, at least one institution must offer one.
In order to be admitted to this preparatory class for the second year, the student must:
- identified by the teaching team as likely to benefit from this training;
- and be voluntary.
Parents of students designated by the teaching team will be informed before the last class council of the 3rd grade about the possibility of following one year of preparatory classes for the 2nd grade. The family must then express their wish or not want to benefit from it in case the student does not pass the certificate.
In the preparatory class for the second year, students will have 27 hours of classes per week, distributed as follows:
- 20 hours of consolidation of expectations at the end of school and preparation for the second grade (French language, history-geography, mathematics, science and technology, modern languages, etc.);
- 7 hours of determining work methods or discovering occupations and training (the nature of these lessons will not be the same depending on whether the student is admitted to another vocational or other general and technological).
At the end of this training:
- or the student will continue his education in 2025-2026. in the training and institution where he was initially admitted;
- or the change of major will be decided upon finally, after consulting the class council, at the written request of the student’s parents or the student if he is of legal age.
The student will not be able to complete another school year in the preparatory class for the second grade.
Let me note
will not affect the preparatory class for the second class:
- students attending apprenticeships or enrolled in CAP;
- students who are looking for a transition to the second grade of general and technological or vocational direction after the second subject in high school.