School advice often not reconsidered.

School advice often not reconsidered.

This week, pupils from group 8 of primary school hear how they did on the final test. If the result of the test is higher than the school advice, the school must reconsider the advice. But does that always happen? The Education Inspectorate finds in a recent study that it does not.

The rule is clear. The final test gives an indication of the school level a child can handle in secondary education. If the final test advice is higher than the school advice a pupil received from the school earlier this year, the school must reconsider the advice and possibly raise it. The school advice is used to arrange placement in secondary education and is never lowered.

Education Inspectorate

The sample from the Education Inspectorate shows that a third of primary schools this year do not change pupils’ school advice if the final test advice is higher. And scientific research shows that children of parents with practical education more often get too low advice from the teacher. The reconsideration is a chance to give all pupils equal opportunities.

Final Test For School Advice

The Central Planning Bureau previously advised that it is better for pupils to take the final test before the school advice. The idea is that pupils then have more equal chances for a tailored advice. Prejudices would play a smaller role. Minister Slob will still make a final decision on this.

Response From Ouders & Onderwijs

“That a school reconsiders and then explains and concludes after discussion not to change the advice, I can understand,” says director Lobke Vlaming of Ouders & Onderwijs. “But to flat-out refuse to consider it is against the law and not in the interest of children. All schools should reconsider their advice.”

What Is The Best Thing To Do?

The school advice is leading. But you can always talk with the secondary school. In practice, most schools follow the primary school advice, but sometimes they agree to a different placement. A secondary school decides itself if they want to admit your child to that school type. Another option is to consider a bridge class with multiple school types. This postpones the final choice for a school type.

Questions?

If you do not agree with the school advice, read more in our Knowledge Base. If you have questions, you can contact our staff on workdays at phone number 088-6050101 or email vraag@oudersenonderwijs.nl