Educational Federalism in Germany
Educational Federalism in Germany
According to the Basic Law, education policy in our federal state is primarily the responsibility of the 16 federal states. Each state designs its school system independently, which is intended to promote diversity and competition among the states.
Coordination by the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK)
Coordination by the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK)
To ensure the necessary level of mobility and comparability, the states coordinate their cross-state education policy within the KMK. Through its resolutions, the KMK guarantees the recognition and comparability of school programs and qualifications throughout Germany. The KMK agreements on individual subjects define the academic requirements for the stages and transitions of the school career. Recommendations on various teaching contents provide guidance that is implemented in state regulations.
The Länder Agreement of 2020
The Länder Agreement of 2020
In October 2020, the KMK adopted the Länder Agreement on the basic structure of the school system and the joint responsibility of the states in key education policy issues. Its objectives include:
- Creating a uniform framework in education
- Increasing comparability of school education
- Ensuring mobility for students and teachers
- Securing quality in education
- Further developing the entire education system
The agreement consists of 44 articles addressing quality assurance, overarching principles of education, school tasks, holiday regulations, the structure and organization of the school system, and teacher education. To implement the agreement, the states have agreed on a series of political initiatives.
Quality Development and Monitoring
Quality Development and Monitoring
Quality assurance and development in school education (link zur Seite) is one of the KMK’s central tasks and ongoing challenges. For all phases of school education - from primary school to the general higher education entrance qualification (link zur Seite) - cross-state educational standards (link zur Seite) in key subjects have been developed and made binding.
Participation in international comparative studies, regular reviews of the achievement of educational standards, and biennial monitoring provide a comprehensive analysis of developments in the German education system. This monitoring forms the basis for further policy decisions. The Institute for Quality Development in Education (IQB) and the Center for International Comparative Studies in Education (ZIB) contribute their scientific expertise.
Individual Support and Inclusion
Individual Support and Inclusion
Education policy and pedagogy increasingly focus on the learning situation and individual educational biography of each student. This includes effective measures for individual support (Link zur Seite), integration of children and adolescents with migration backgrounds (Link zur Seite), and joint schooling of children and adolescents with and without disabilities (inclusion) (Link zur Seite).
