8. French Lower Secondary School - Collège

1. 8.1. Structure
   8.2. Enrolment
   8.3. Curriculum
   8.4. Assessment
   8.5. Certification

8.4. Assessment and Le Redoublement in a French Collège

As might be expected, assessment is rigorous, with systematic continuous assessment, regular tests and a school report over the final two years that contributes to the attribution of a national diploma Brevet at end of the final year (3eme).

With effect from Sept 06 the process of continuous assessment has included a report on the behaviour, attendance and general participation of the child school life, which is considered as part of the certification process.

This report is called la note de la vie scolaire and is given by the head of pastoral care in each school, the Conseiller principal d’éducation – CPE .

In the final year of collège, the report forms part of the total assessment towards the school certificate, the Brevet.

The report is causing a great deal of controversy amongst teachers and parents associations, as many consider it inappropriate that a child's academic record should be tainted by marks for behaviour.

Parents receive a report three times a year on their child’s academic progress and conduct, and you are expected to take an active interest the education of their children.

The key years for consideration of le redoublement are at the end of 4eme and 3eme, being the end of each key stage of education.

It is not unusual for pupils from overseas to be asked to repeat a year if their French language ability is not considered adequate. Indeed over a third of all pupils experience repeating a year during their time at school.

Alternatively, they may be placed in a lower class level on entry.

Parents have a right of appeal to the Inspector d’académie if they do not agree with the decision of the school, which they must exercise within three days of the notification of the decision.

In practice, decisions are taken in collaboration with the parents wherever possible.

There is a lot of debate in France about the efficacy of le redoublement, with many who doubt it makes any difference to attainment and who consider it inequitable.

Others consider that it is particularly helpful in improving the self-confidence of pupils as they improve their understanding of the subjects.

One of the key objectives of the PPRE initiative mentioned above is to try and reduce the number of pupils who face having to resit the year.