New language tests for four-year-old children

From the middle of April all four year olds will have to take a language test in Berlin. Those that fail the test will have to spend a year in a Kita regardless of whether the parents wish this or not.

Source:Berliner Morgenpost


The Jugendämter will be writing to all the relevent families whose children are not yet registered in a Kita. The invitation will reveal the location and the time of the test. The tests will be taking place between the middle of April and the end of May.

This decision was taken by parliament in their last session before Easter and further details are yet to be ironed out.

Why the hell would any parent not want to have their 4 year old in Kita ?

Why should there be a test for 4 year olds in the first place. Do they need to choose their profession by the time they graduate Kita ?

good one, schnuki
I guess it gives children who come from non German speaking households (or those who have a speech development problems) a chance to get some help - or at least a few hours a day of German...?

I assume the idea is to try to catch kids whose basic educational development is not appropriate, probably because of parental negligence. I absolutely do not agree with testing children, especially to monitor performance of schools. However I do believe that the state has a role, in fact responsibility to ensure all children are getting the basic education they need to have a chance of developing as they grow up. Not sure that testing is the best way, but I agree with the objective.

Colin

This is a bit over-stated. Kids that are in kitas will be evaluated by their teachers there -- not tested. Those that aren't in a kita are then asked to come in so they can have their language abilities evaluated. It's not like they sit down and have to answer multiple-choice questions.

This grew out of the incessant integration debate and is about getting immigrant (read: Turkish) kids in the system earlier. It really is about getting young kids the education they both need and deserve.