Many children not well prepared for school entry

Struggling Prep for School: Germany Needs a Change

There's no sugarcoating it - things aren't looking great for Germany's schoolchildren. To make matters worse, the issue starts early, according to education experts in Dortmund. Many youngsters are already behind in language acquisition when they begin their educational journey, leading to troublesome consequences.

Recent PISA results paint a concerning picture. German pupils lack essential reading and writing skills, placing them below EU averages in an EU-wide comparison. The findings stem from surveys of school administrators and parents conducted as part of the International Primary School Reading Survey (Iglu).

The Institute for School Development Research (IFS) at the University of Dortmund shared the key takeaways from the Iglu study during their May presentation. Interestingly, the IFS researchers highlighted that literacy skills develop before pupils even set foot in a school setting. Activities that promote reading, such as reading aloud, telling stories, and singing songs, play a crucial role in this growth. Early socialization through reading lays the groundwork for success throughout a student's school career.

There's a Cry for Help

The majority of the 252 school principals surveyed by Iglu revealed that less than 25% of their first-grade students enter school with sufficient basic skills. This figure is significantly lower compared to the EU average. Moreover, just nine percent of parents rated their child's reading abilities as "excellent" before entering school. Based on the IFS findings, Germany has the lowest figure of all Iglu-participating EU countries in this regard.

The Iglu study director, Nele McElvany, urged that Germany should pay more attention to launching children into their school years prepared. She stressed that children who engage in reading-promoting activities prior to beginning their education and have parents who enjoy reading achieve higher reading abilities by the end of primary school. This was evident in the study, which revealed that approximately 25% of fourth-graders struggled to read properly or comprehend texts effectively.

The fallout from these poor educational results has sparked calls for a compulsory pre-school year to instill essential language and motor skills earlier.

Go deeper:

Germany's poor performance in international education rankings underlines the importance of tackling this issue. The IFS suggests that focusing on preparing children for school in Germany can help address this problem. Research indicates that students who engage in reading-promoting activities and have reading-encouraging parents typically achieve more advanced reading abilities by the end of their primary school years.

Further Reading:

Strategies to Enhance Early Education in Germany

To improve early education in Germany and promote better school preparation, several strategies should be adopted:

1. Maintain Remedial Classes: Rebuffer the idea of eliminating remedial classes in North Rhine-Westphalia. These supportive classes are crucial for children requiring additional assistance, ensuring they don't fall behind in language and math skills.
2. Focus on Basic Skills: Strengthen basic skills research has shown that around a third of primary school children are struggling in German and math. Targeted support through remedial classes is essential to build a strong foundation for long-term academic success.
3. Professional Development for Teachers: Equipping teachers with necessary resources and training (PD workshops) can significantly boost their teaching effectiveness. Though not essential for all teachers, it can be immensely helpful in implementing innovative teaching methods and making the most of resources.
4. Quality of Early Childhood Education and Care: Recruit and retain highly qualified staff through improved working conditions. Addressing the staffing gaps faced by European countries is essential for the success of early childhood education and care.
5. Balanced Digital Use: Incorporate a balanced digital education strategy, with some countries even implementing digital technology restrictions to ensure children have exposure to both digital and non-digital activities.
6. Sustainability Education: Incorporate sustainability education into curriculums, fostering environmental awareness and holistic learning.
7. Parental Involvement and Community Engagement: Encourage parents and community involvement in early childhood education through community-based initiatives. This approach can provide additional support and resources.

Implementing these strategies can enhance early education in Germany, foster school preparation, and bolster reading abilities, as suggested by the International Primary School Reading Survey (Iglu) and the Institute for School Development Research at the University of Dortmund.