Conference

2008 Safe Internet Use

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Highlights of previous SSBA conferences :-

2007 Developing a Parent Council and Encouraging Parental Involvement

2006 The Way Forward for Parental Involvement

2005 Parents in Partnership

2003 Partnerships and responsibilities

2002 SSBA is fit for the future

2001 Roadshow

2000 International
and published book
available here online

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Workshops
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Parents' Participation at the Local Level

To start with, each class of a school has to elect its parents representation (as long as pupils are under the age of 18). Therefore many parents have got the opportunity to take an active part at school on a local level.

The elected representatives of each class are automatically the group of representatives at the level of each school. They elect a chairperson and deputies as a steering committee.

Delegates from each school have to elect their representatives into the Kreiselternrct (KER). Each type of school is to be represented in this group of parents.

27 elected parents build the KER Celle, all representatives mentioned are all elected for a two years period. Re-election is possible after the period. The main condition is: having a child in a school at the local level.

Due to the legal regulation election in the classroom have to start soon after the building of this class.

The federalism leads to a rather complicated set of responsibilities. At the local level the town or the county is responsible for the physical institution school: The buildings, the equipment in the classrooms, the surroundings, lighting, heating etc. Each town / county of course has its department, responsible for the physical part of their schools.

The people to make this building a living school (staff and teachers) are furnished by the government of the state of Lower Saxony and they are the employees (exception - the secretary of school). The state government installed its local authorities at different levels to enable the maintenance of a closer contact with the schooldirectories and schoollife.

The parents do have one representative in their local authority-group to take part in the discussions on the subject school building. Decisions in this field are to be taken by the democratically elected representatives of the whole community / county. The "specialists" can only try to give wise advises.

On the other hand exists an elected body (Landeselternrat -LER-), that is to be participated by the state government on many cases concerning school. All legislative activity and executive activity can take place only with the consultation of the LER. The democratic representatives of the people of Lower Saxony are free to decide on the subjects independent of the votum of the LER.

LER- members are elected by the members of all 47 KER in lower Saxony. New elections take place every three years.

All elected representatives are free to discuss any topics concerning the schools they represent. They are free to put forward any problems in schoollife towards the local authorities independent of the level.

The authority concerned has to give the parents all the information available on the subject. As the parents representatives they are free to choose their way to find solutions.

Possible subjects parents representatives can deal with:

To make the parents- / school-communikation work, parents representatives meet at regular intervalls (3 - 4 times a year).

The actual economic / financial situation has led to a situation in which the teaching population at the schools has grown older. And the number of students per class has increased. This combination easily leads to an unwanted slowing down of modernisation of the educational system.

Although the financial situation has led a decreasingstoff at the higher levels in the government, followed by the possibility for each school to have a more of selfregulation, it is more difficult to f ind time for discussions with the parents involved in the system.

The more of freedom gives a more of responsibility end a higher risk to make "mistakes".

In come cases it is hardly possible to f ind enough parents prepared to take over the duties of a representative as given in by the law.

1. Duty to attend school

All children and juveniles who reside inside the limits of the State of lower Saxony are required to attend school.

If your child has reached the age of six by the 30th of June, he or she has to start attending school from the beginning of the upcoming school year. You will receive a letter confirming this fact and must then register your child with the local Grundschule (elementary school), which is also attended by the children from your neighbourhood.

If your child reaches the age of six betvveen the period 1 st of July and the 31 st of December, he or she may be accepted into the school, but only if you apply for it and the child has reached a sufficient general stage of development.

The duty to attend school generally lasts for 12 years. Out of these 12 years, the children and juveniles attend lessons in an aligemeinbildende Schule (school for general education) for at least 9 years. Afterwards, the duty.to attend school has to be fulfilled by attending the gymnasiale Oberstufe (11th to 13th year at high school) or a berufsbildende Schule (technical college). Even if your child had already fulfilled his or her duty to attend school in your country of origin, he or she may still have the duty to attend school in Lower Saxony.

Regular attendance of classes is very important for your child's future life.

2. Diagram

3. Types of schools (Explanation of the diagram about the education system)

Grundschule (elementary school) includes the first four years of'school education. Some Grundschulen (elementary schools) have a preschool kindergarten (nursery). In the school kindergarten children, vvho are six years of age but still cannot attend the first year of Grundscliuie, are especially catered to. After Grundschule (elementary school), all children change to the Orientlerungsstufe (orientation school). in some communities, children may also change to the Gesamtschule (comprehensive school). For further information, see "Gesamtschulen (comprehensive schools)".

Orientierungsstufe (orientation school) includes the 5th and 6th year. At Orientierungsstufe (orientation school), the childrens' individual needs are taken into consideration and they are prepared for one of the weiterfuhrende Schulen (high schools): i.e, Hauptschule, Realst:hule, Gymndsium. At the end of the sixth year, a recommendation is issued for each child which advices. them of which sort of school to attend in Sekundarbereich 1 (secondary education, part 1).

Hauptschule comprises the 7th to 9th year and offers an optional tenth year. When the 9th year is completed, 'Hauptschulabschluß" is issued. After completing the tenth grade, the student may obtain either. "Sekundarabschiuß 1 - Hauptschu labschluß", "Sekundarabschiuß 1 - Realschulabschluß" or "Erweiterter Sekundarabschiuß 1", A diploma obtained from Hauptschule (or an equivalent diploma from the country of origin) permits the student to enter directly into an apprenticeship or an educational programme at a berufsbildende Schule (technical college). Students holding an "Erweiterter Sekundarabschluß 1" are also able to change into the gymnasiale Oberstufe (high school 11th to 13th year) or a Fachgymnasium.

Realschule comprises the 7th to 10th year. Students usually graduate with. "Sekundarabschluß 1 Realschulabschiuß" or "Erweiterter Sekundarabschluß 1". These diplomas open the way for a broad range of apprenticeships. "Erweiterter Sekundarabschluß 1" also entitles the student to change into the gymnasiale Oberstufe at a Gymnasium, a Gesamtschule (comprehensive school) or a Fachgyrnnasium (specialised high school).

Gymnasium in Sekundarbereich 1 (secondary education, part I) comprises the 7th to 10th year and of Sekundarbereich 11 (secondary education, part II) i.e. 11th to 13th year, Two non-native languages must be taken at Gymnasium. In Sekundarbereich 1 of a Gymnasium, all the above mentioned diplomas may be obtained. After satisfactory cornpletion of the gymnasiale Oberstufe (years 11 to 13) an Abitur, or Aligemeine Hochschuireife (high school graduation), may be taken. This diploma entitles the student to enter the university or enroll in a professional training scheme.

Gesamtschule (comprehensive school) may be attended instead of Orientierungsstufe, Hauptschule, Realschule, or Gymnasium: All the diplomas described above may also be obtained from a Gesamtschule (comprehensive school).

Sonderschule (special care school) is attended by children who are either seriously disabled or have special problems with learning and therefore need special attention. The students are educated in small groups by specially trained teachers.

The transference of a child to a Sonderschule (special care school) requires a profound examination of the child and the production of a written opinion from an expert. Insufficient knowledge of the German language or problems with learning German are, on their own, no sufficient reason to pass a child to a Sonderschule (special care school). Students who attend a Sonderschule (special care school) may acquire the same diplomas described above regarding the other types of schools of Sekundarbereich 1 (secondary education, part I), providing their ability and performance are sufficient to allow this. Students may also acquire the Abschluß der Schule für Lernbehinderte (diploma of the school for persons with learning disabilities).

Everyone who wishes to learn a trade or profession has to attend lessons at a berufsbildende Schule (technical college). There are different classes of berufsbildende Schtilen (technical colleges) and they offer the opportunity to obtain professional qualifications.

Juveniles who enter directly into an apprenticeship receive the theoretical part of their education in lessons at a berufsbildende Schule (technical college). It is mandatory to attend these classes. The companies are required to let the trainees attend. There are special offers for juveniles who still need to develop their German language skills e.g. 'Berufsvorbereitungsjahr - Sonderform für Ausländer und Aussiedler", Förderunterricht (one-year training to prepare for working life of a special form for foreign people and German national immigrants).

All schools, of whatever type, have the same duty to make your child's path into the next type of school possible (e.g. moving after completing Realschule (high school, middle type) to gymnasiale Oberstufe - grades 11 to 13 - of a Gymnasium or Gesamtschule). Most diplomas may also be obtained in berufsbildende Schulen. Please make use of the opportunity to have a detailed interview at your child's school to find out early enough which education suits your child best.

4. Offers of assistance at school

It is very important for your child's success at school to learn the German language early and well. Therefore children from abroad and children of Gerrnan-natiorial immigrants are offered special .language assistance at all types of schools. Such promotion may consist either in a "Förderklasse Deutsch" (German assistance group), a "Förderkurs Deutsch" (assistance course German), or in additional "Förderunterricht Deutsch" (assistance lessons German). The actual type of assistance depends on your child's German language skills and the particular conditions at the school attended.

Children who attend a "Förderklasse Deutsch" (German assistance group) receive at least 16 lessons of German per week during elementary education. Older children receive at least 22 lessons per week. The children are taught basic German and they are prepared for participation in normal lessons. Starting from the 5th class, Engish may also be offered in "Förderklasse Deutsch" (German assistance group). Students in the lst to 7th year usually attend "Förderklasse Deutsch" (German assistance group) for one year. Students of the 8th year and above may attend " Förderklasse Deutsch " for up to two years.

In '"Förderkurs Deutsch " (German assistance course) children in elementary education receive at least 6 lessons of language assistance per week, while older children receive at least 8 lessons, Lessons in "Förderkurs Deutsch " sometimes coincide with the lessons taught to the regular group. Attendance in "Förderkurs Deutsch" (German assistance course) usually last for one year, although the children may attend further assistance lessons.

If your child receives additional "Förderunterricht Deutsch", he or she will have 5 lessons of assistance per week. After completing one year, up to 4 lessons may be offered. There is also the opportunity of assistance classes of the foreign language taught (usually English).

5. Native language classes

It is very important for your child's personal development and success at learning that the child's knowledge of his or her native language is cultivated and broadened. It is also, with a view to chances in working life, that a broad knowledge of languages becomes more and more important.

For students from abroad, there is the opportunity to receive lessons of their own language. At the present, such lessons are offered for students from the following countries Greece, Italy, Iran, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, Vietham, the states of the territory of former Yugoslavia, and states where Arabian is the official language. Starting native language classes in additional languages requires a special permit from the Kuitusministerium (Ministry of Culture).

Native language teaching consists of up to 5 lessons per week. A group may be created for at least 8 children of the same native language. Students whose religion is Islamic, may also receive two lessons about religious issues within the native language programme.

6. Native language instead of a foreign language

In general, foreign children and juveniles attend the same foreign language lessons that the German students do. This is important because the knowledge of foreign languages, e.g. English, is a requisite for entering into many apprenticeships and professions.

Many foreign students however, do not enter the German education system In the first year, but only in an upper grade. For some of them it is difficult to learn another foreign language in addition to learning German. Often it is impossible to learn the first or second foreign language taught or to ever catch up to the level of the class. In such cases and under certain conditions it might be possible to have the achievements in the student's native language acknowledged instead of those in one of the mandatory foreign languages (usually English or French).

7. Further offers of assistance

In many communities and cities your child is offered additional classes of German in the afternoon. At "Hausaufgabenhilfe" (homework assistance) your child is taught together with other German and foreign children and will also improve his or her German language skills. "Hausaufgabenhilfen" is for free. Please talk to the teacher of your child to find out whether there exists Hausaufgabenhilfe in your community.

Children of German-national immigrants and in certain cases also children of refugees may be assisted from the so-called Garantiefonds (guarantee funds) - i.e. special Federal funds. Please refer to your school or an advice office of the Wohlfahrtsverbände (charities) for further information. You should also find out whether there is an opportunity for promotion under e.g. the "Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz" (Federal law on the promotion of education, "BaföG").

8. Lernmittelfreiheit (free study materials)

The study materials needed in class, such as text books, work books and some of the exercise books are lent to your child by the school. They have to be returned to the school at the end of the scholastic year. There are no costs incurred by you. Please help to ensure that the study materials borrowed from the school are treated with care so that the students who follow may go on using them. Therefore no notes or underlining in these books is allowed.

You have to buy consumable materials (e.g. copy books and pens) yourself, and also an atlas and perhaps reading material or a pocket calculator.

In case a book becomes lost or spoilt, please contact the school immediately.

9. Students' transportation

Many students need public transport to get to school. Under certain requirements, the authorities carry the cost of transport. The child's age, perseverance and the safety of the student's way to school are taken into account.

10. School life

School is also a new place with new experiences for your child. Each school organises various offers and special arrangements - e.g. workshops, projects, internships with companies, trips to museums and theatres, parties, and excursions. Some of these offers are mandatory, others voluntary. Please make it possible for your child to attend the voluntary arrangements as well. This will give your child a chance to integrate more into the group and to develop his or her special inclinations and interests.

You will normally receive information about special arrangements made - both mandatory and voluntary - on Elternabend (a meeting for parents in the evening) and Elternsprethtag (parents' contact day).

11. Parents' rights

In the German education system, the parents play an important part. You may have a meeting with teachers on Elternsprechtag (parents' contact day) or at any time agreed upon. You may also visit classes provided you have agreed upon this with the teacher.

Under the Niedersächsisches Schulgesetz (Lower Saxony School Code), parents have a number of rights of participation. In the beginning of the scholastic. year there are Elternversammiungen (parents' meetings) on occasion of which Klassenelternräte (parents' councils of the class) are elected. The Vorsitzenden (chairpersons) of these Klassenelternräte (parents' councils of the individual classes) make up for the Schulelternrat (parents' council of the school). The parents' councils are the connecting links in between parents and teachers and are at your disposal. All parents, German and foreign, may stand for election to Elternrat (parents' councils). Please make use of this opportunity to participate actively in shaping your child's school, together with the teachers. Your child's success at school depends not least in a co-operation of trust between parents and teachers.

Asterix and Parents -
Similarities and Differences at the Elections of Parents Representatives

A workshop led by Lothar H. Bluhm, Germany

Thinking of the elections of parents representatives in schools I am automatically reminded of the well known animated cartoon "Asterix the Gallican" by Goscinny and Uderzo: The Roman commander-inchief is looking for volunteers for a patrol to reconnoitre the Gallic village. Cheerfully whistling the assembled army is looking into the sky as if this appeal has not been made to anybody: Not any usually brave warrior is willing to report himself voluntarily.

This picture is repeated every year, when the class teachers have dispatched their invitations to the first parents' evenings and have opened the meeting. The essential part of these first congregatins is to vote for a chairman and its deputy of the parents of the class Furthermore, members for the class-conferences are elected.

Being able to appoint, candidates are necessary first of all. - That is the point; as 1 use to say the "Asterix-effect".

The voluntariness and readiness to be chosen have got its advantages. The elections are democratical procedures and follow the five electoral law principles General: Free, Equal, Direct and Secret voting. Especially the choice is important for an effective parents work; for the designated candidates offer the security to commit themselves to a engaged work at school.

In many cases parents are not willing to assume responsibility, because they fear that their involvement could have a negative effect on their children's achievements and the corresponding judgements. Again and again parents hear from repressions opposite their children. But should these isolated cases be generalized and therefore that lead to the selection and not to the election of parents representatives?

Lower Saxony has got one of the oldest laws of parents representation in schools. - Always adaptable, always updated to the prevailing requirements and democratic developments. Like this the rights and duties of parents and their representatives are relatively clear defined. Time and again the elections are in the centre of the democratical principle of parents representatives, Therefore, they are undisputed.

The contents of the law of parents representatives are to be the theme of the workshop. Frequently, one hears that parents representatives are no more than a "fig-leaf", an alibi.

What influence do parents representatives have on the pedagogical work at school?

What are the themes parents representatives should be concerned with?

How is the possible conflict between teachers / educationalists (namely: professional experts) and parents (namely: amateurs) managed?

In which spheres should parents representatives be engaged to have success and not to resign in frustration?

Which role does continuity within, parents work play?

The "right way" in the human network of different opinions, representation and possibilities should be examined and analysed in the workshop. Does the "right way" exist in general? Does the parents law offer a wide range of conflicts that grips and binds all persons involved? - How should parents representatives react to conflicts?

How do educationalists handle ideas and tips of parents and their representatives? Which job does the headmaster have, which the school administration?

A lot of questions that are worthwhile answering and dealing with in the workshop. Not "selection" but "election".

Lothar H. Bluhm

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