Primary level: what requirements are set?
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In primary school, performance is evaluated by means of grades, assessment scales or learning reports. Learning reports and assessment interviews are mainly used in the first school years at primary level. In most cases, graded reports are introduced between school year 1 and school year 4. Generally, a grade scale of 1 to 6 is used (6 = best grade, 4 = sufficient, below 4 = insufficient). In most cases, the pupils receive a graded report or learning report twice a year, at the end of each semester.
Various pilot projects regarding evaluation methods with formative and diagnostic elements are underway. In various cantons, facultative or compulsory year-end tests or achievement tests are conducted in certain school years and subjects. These can be used to assess the performance of the pupils and also allow the teachers to compare the learning success of the class to that of other classes. In a number of cantons, efforts to coordinate the measurement of performance are being made.
Particularly able pupils have the possibility of earlier school enrolment, or of skipping a year. Additional individual support within normal classes is another possibility. There are few special support services available outside normal classes and even fewer special classes or schools for gifted pupils.
Transfer into the next class
A decision is made at the end of each school year as to whether pupils can be transferred into the next class on the basis of their performance. Provisional or definitive transfer to the next class occurs on the basis of the average grade achieved (either across all subjects or in core subjects). Repetition of a class is provided for in the cantonal school laws, but the way in which this is handled varies. In the school year 2007 / 2008, 1.7% of the pupils repeated a class at the primary level. Special supportive measures can also be granted to individual pupils if required.
Various pilot projects regarding evaluation methods with formative and diagnostic elements are underway. In various cantons, facultative or compulsory year-end tests or achievement tests are conducted in certain school years and subjects. These can be used to assess the performance of the pupils and also allow the teachers to compare the learning success of the class to that of other classes. In a number of cantons, efforts to coordinate the measurement of performance are being made.
Particularly able pupils have the possibility of earlier school enrolment, or of skipping a year. Additional individual support within normal classes is another possibility. There are few special support services available outside normal classes and even fewer special classes or schools for gifted pupils.
Transfer into the next class
A decision is made at the end of each school year as to whether pupils can be transferred into the next class on the basis of their performance. Provisional or definitive transfer to the next class occurs on the basis of the average grade achieved (either across all subjects or in core subjects). Repetition of a class is provided for in the cantonal school laws, but the way in which this is handled varies. In the school year 2007 / 2008, 1.7% of the pupils repeated a class at the primary level. Special supportive measures can also be granted to individual pupils if required.
