The French Educational System

Standardised tests are more and more common in America. After several decades of experimenting and tinkering with their educational system, the United States have now pursued the "road back to basics". In an attempt at saving a system that has come under much scrutiny, many states have brought in standardised test and teacher testing. Educators and specialists are also questioning the validity of these methods.

What about the educational system in France?

It is practically impossible to compare both systems without fully understanding the radical differences in societal values that come into play.

In France, education has a clear goal: the system must always produce a group of well-educated individuals with a common culture, language and abilities that can then serve the State. The French educational system has a very large emphasis on content, culturally specific knowledge, scientific and mathematic knowledge. The system is designed to serve the needs of the state; the individuality and originality are not considered worth while values. If one were to sum up the differences between France and America, one could say that people who study in France leave the system knowing all, but understanding very little. In America people leave the system understanding everything and knowing little.

The French believe in very early child education. It is not uncommon to hear of children under three years old going to kindergarten.

After a couple of years in Kindergarten, the children follow classes in elementary school and learn a lot of language skills, mathematics and many traditional subjects. The classes are very structured and the teaching is also traditional.

After elementary education, which ends around grade 5 (CM2) students go to the College and follow specialised classes up to grade 9 (3eme) when they must pass the BEPC exam. Students who cannot follow the traditional courses are sidelined as early as grade 7 (5eme) into practical courses: mechanics, secretarial, electricity, and carpentry. Those who pass the BEPC then go to the Lycée and study for 3 or 4 years in order to obtain a Baccalauréat. This diploma has a very powerful culture around it. Many people can still evoke their experience at the Baccalauréat many decades after having obtained the diploma. For many years this exam was considered the rite of passage into true academic life. There are several versions of the diploma with varying specialisation such as science, mathematics, French, philosophy and so on.

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