Status of Education Report

French education is split into different age groups, which they refer to as stages.

The child’s academic level and grades help dictate which educational path the student

goes down. France is known and had a long reputation for having one of the best

education systems in the world. They have a nationally set curriculum, use traditional

teaching methods, keep their academic standards high, and use strict discipline

strategies. Although, in more recent years it has been reported that French students are

struggling with mathematics.

School is seen as a place of learning and not “fun” so sports and other clubs are

typically organized outside of the school. French schooling is free and mandatory for all

children ages six to sixteen, although most students start before six-years-old. Children

may enter preschool classes at the age of three. In order for students to enter

university, after the mandatory years of education, another two years of education are

required. After these two years of further education, students can take a baccalaureate

exam which is what they used to enter a university. More than 50 % of the eighteen to

twenty-one year olds take classed of higher education. Class sized are on the larger

scale, one teacher to about 30 or more students.

Below I have included a chart about education facts in France. It includes the

grading scale compared to the United States equivalent grades. There are two different

grading scales in France, one based of 20 point scale and one based off of a 14 point

scale. This graphic also includes the different levels of eduaction that are avaliable in

Fracne. There are eight different levels, starting from primary education going through a

doctorat or PhD program. Most students attend public or local schools which are free.
However, most foreign families typically send their children to interantaion schools. This

makes it easier for the student to transition.

There are three types of schools that students may attend. The majority of

schools are state-run or public schools, private schools run by the French government,

and private schools that are fully independent. At the private schools the government

pays the teachers salaries, the school follows the national curriculum, and the cost is

typically low. The fully independent private schools are typically the international

schools, or schools that are affiliated with a specific religion.

The typical school year starts in September and goes through June. They have a

two month summer break and two/three week breaks around christmas, easter, and half

way through the semesters. A typically school day is from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm. The
school day includes two breaks and an hour and a half break for lunch. There is

homework that is sent home with the students ever night.

 Sources

A guide to French education. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2018, from

https://www.expatica.com/fr/education/Education-in-France_101147.html

Country Profiles. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2018, from https://wenr.wes.org/tools-

resources/country-profiles