“We're not totally convinced this is the right choice. Transparent and fair criteria are essential, and that's something we will always support. Likewise, there has to be some selection, as not all individuals have the same attitudes and talents. At the same time, we wonder whether a kid who's just graduated from a middle school's really ready to be tested like we would with an adult, or even just a student trying to get into a university or MBA programme. Grammar schools should give a chance to everyone: it is correct to have selective courses (and teachers should not be afraid to have unruly or unfit students repeat a year or even get expelled) but we want that selection to happen in itinere, not before they're even allowed to start their studies. For this reason, we'll be voting against this proposal. The current system's fine, and we'll work so that all schools uniform to the same criteria for access.”
Selective Grammar Schools Act of 2019
Rationale
This proposal ains to ensure fair access to high-quality education by replacing vague selection with transparent, exam-based entry to grammar schools.
Proposed Changes
| Law | Previous | Proposed | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | School Selection |
Some selective schools
|
Selective grammar schools by exam
|
1
School SelectionTimeline
-
Draft30 July 2019
-
Vote Open30 July 2019
-
Vote Closed28 September 2019
-
Became Law28 September 2019
Vote tally
Live tally across each chamber. Weighted by seats held.
Bundesrat
PassedFor: 24 / 69 seats (34.8%)
Against: 22 · Abstained: 5 · Not voted: 18
| Party | Seats | Vote | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance For Digital Freedom And Rights | 16 | No | We're not totally convinced this is the right choice. Transparent and fair criteria are essential, and that's something we will always support. Likewise, there has to be some selection, as not all individuals have the same attitudes and talents. At the same time, we wonder whether a kid who's just graduated from a middle school's really ready to be tested like we would with an adult, or even just a student trying to get into a university or MBA programme. Grammar schools should give a chance to everyone: it is correct to have selective courses (and teachers should not be afraid to have unruly or unfit students repeat a year or even get expelled) but we want that selection to happen in itinere, not before they're even allowed to start their studies. For this reason, we'll be voting against this proposal. The current system's fine, and we'll work so that all schools uniform to the same criteria for access. |
| Competence And Freedom Proposer | 8 | Yes | No reason given |
| Homeland Alliance | 16 | Yes | Education must match performance. It makes no sense that intelligent children should suffer from inclusion. Exams allow everyone to get what's right for them. |
| Left Forward | 5 | Abstain | Transparency is always preferable to arbitrary decision-making, and replacing vague admissions criteria is a step in the right direction. At the same time, it does not answer the bigger question of whether children should be separated into different schools at such an early age. Equal opportunities begin with learning together, not with selecting children apart. |
| Saxenheim Republic | 6 | No | No reason given |
| Saxenheim Workers’ Union | 0 | Yes | Merit should determine access to selective education, not subjective or inconsistent criteria. A transparent examination system rewards ability, encourages hard work, and ensures that places at grammar schools are earned fairly. |
| Empty seats | 5 | Not voted |
Bundestag
PassedFor: 223 / 650 seats (34.3%)
Against: 204 · Abstained: 50 · Not voted: 173
| Party | Seats | Vote | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance For Digital Freedom And Rights | 151 | No | We're not totally convinced this is the right choice. Transparent and fair criteria are essential, and that's something we will always support. Likewise, there has to be some selection, as not all individuals have the same attitudes and talents. At the same time, we wonder whether a kid who's just graduated from a middle school's really ready to be tested like we would with an adult, or even just a student trying to get into a university or MBA programme. Grammar schools should give a chance to everyone: it is correct to have selective courses (and teachers should not be afraid to have unruly or unfit students repeat a year or even get expelled) but we want that selection to happen in itinere, not before they're even allowed to start their studies. For this reason, we'll be voting against this proposal. The current system's fine, and we'll work so that all schools uniform to the same criteria for access. |
| Competence And Freedom Proposer | 77 | Yes | No reason given |
| Homeland Alliance | 146 | Yes | Education must match performance. It makes no sense that intelligent children should suffer from inclusion. Exams allow everyone to get what's right for them. |
| Left Forward | 50 | Abstain | Transparency is always preferable to arbitrary decision-making, and replacing vague admissions criteria is a step in the right direction. At the same time, it does not answer the bigger question of whether children should be separated into different schools at such an early age. Equal opportunities begin with learning together, not with selecting children apart. |
| Saxenheim Republic | 53 | No | No reason given |
| Saxenheim Workers’ Union | 0 | Yes | Merit should determine access to selective education, not subjective or inconsistent criteria. A transparent examination system rewards ability, encourages hard work, and ensures that places at grammar schools are earned fairly. |
| Empty seats | 52 | Not voted |
Voting record
Every vote must state a public reason. Most recent first.
“Merit should determine access to selective education, not subjective or inconsistent criteria. A transparent examination system rewards ability, encourages hard work, and ensures that places at grammar schools are earned fairly.”
“Education must match performance. It makes no sense that intelligent children should suffer from inclusion. Exams allow everyone to get what's right for them.”
“Transparency is always preferable to arbitrary decision-making, and replacing vague admissions criteria is a step in the right direction. At the same time, it does not answer the bigger question of whether children should be separated into different schools at such an early age. Equal opportunities begin with learning together, not with selecting children apart.”