VGH criticizes guidelines for potential test as vague - Potential Test for Fourth-Graders Sparks Legal Debate
The use of a potential speed test for fourth-graders in elementary schools has sparked controversy, with the Administrative Court of Karlsruhe questioning its legal basis and the Ministry of Education defending its necessity. The test, conducted at grammar schools and corrected by teachers, is an element of the binding recommendation for the last fourth-graders.
The court raised concerns about the lack of a clear definition for passing the potential speed test in the admission regulation. The Ministry of Education rejected criticisms, stating that the test must meet minimum values required for the grammar school level, as assessed by the Institute for Educational Analysis Baden-Württemberg (IBBW). The court, however, questioned whether a definition of the passing grade in a guide from the IBBW is sufficient.
The potential speed test is one of three components in the recommendation model for grammar school attendance. Along with the teacher's recommendation and the performance test 'Kompass 4', two out of three must be decisive. If neither leads to a recommendation, students can take the potential speed test. The test is evaluated by the IBBW or similar institutions based on criteria such as performance level, potential analysis, standards and norms, comparison with the average, and recommendations for future educational and career orientation.
The potential speed test for elementary school children has been a contentious issue, with the Administrative Court of Karlsruhe previously criticizing the lack of minimum requirements in the School Act and Admission Regulation. The Ministry of Education has defended the test, stating it is necessary to achieve minimum values required for the grammar school level. The court's latest concerns about the legal basis for the test suggest that this debate is far from over.
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