Practical education track not yet an equal school type.

Practical education track not yet an equal school type.

On Wednesday 11 September the House of Representatives debates about the practical education track. Before this debate Ouders & Onderwijs sent a letter in which we share the signals we receive from parents about the practical education track. In the letter we make suggestions to make the practical education track an equal school type.

The practical education track offers many students the chance to gain practical experience and learn in a small-scale environment, but although it is officially a regular school type in secondary education, parents feel that many improvements are needed. In practice it appears that the practical education track is not treated the same way as vmbo, havo, or vwo. We hope the House of Representatives takes parents’ concerns and our recommendations into account in the debate, so the practical education track really becomes a full option for all students.

Practical education track as a separate advice in the secondary school transition test

Currently it is not possible to get a single advice ‘practical education track’ from the secondary school transition test. Students who score low often receive a combined advice of practical education track and basic vmbo, which can cause confusion for parents and students. This year we received several signals from parents who thought this advice would lead to a change to a higher school level, which is not possible in practice. It is important that there is a single result ‘practical education track’. 

Right to secondary school transition test for students with practical education track advice

Although all students in group 8 must in principle take the secondary school transition test, we see that students with a practical education track advice are often excluded. This happens unfairly, because these students, like their peers with a vmbo, havo, or vwo advice, have a right to an independent check of the school advice. Therefore, in principle, students with practical education track advice should also be able to take the secondary school transition test.

Interim transitions in the practical education track

At other school types it is possible to move up or down between streams during the school year, but parents of students in the practical education track feel this option is often blocked. Practical education schools sometimes do not allow transfer to vmbo, and vmbo schools often do not want to accept students from the practical education track. This causes frustration for parents. Ouders & Onderwijs calls for clear policy on moving up and down in the practical education track.

Declaration of Admissibility and direct funding

To attend the practical education track, a Declaration of Admissibility is needed. This is often a point of discussion between school and parents for several reasons. Because of this, some students fall between cracks. We hope the cabinet is willing to examine if the mandatory Declaration of Admissibility for practical education track can be completely abolished, so students can easier start the practical education track.