PIRLS 2006 Encyclopedia

PIRLS 2006 EncyclopediaIn 1997, an important educational decree, the Décret Missions, was disseminated.This decree defines the main goals of each educational organizing authority. It alsoemphasizes equity objectives, such as “to get all students to acquire knowledge and skillswhich will enable lifelong learning” and “to guarantee all students equal opportunitiesof social emancipation.” 5 This decree also introduced an important curriculum reformfor all schools and all grades by defining the Standards of Competencies (Socles decompetences), the basic competencies to be acquired by the end of the first eight gradesof compulsory education. 6 Approved unanimously by the democratic parties of theFrench Community Parliament, these standards constitute the basic contract betweenschool and society.Structure of the Education SystemAnother major reform defined in the Décret Missions is devoted to the promotion ofsuccessful primary education. 7 Every preprimary and primary school must implementa curriculum based on cycles that would enable each child to go through his or hereducation at his or her own pace, avoiding grade repetition if possible (see Table 1).The introduction of the Cycle “5–8” (cycle from the last grade of preschool to grade 2)is expected to create a better transition between preschool education and primaryschool levels.Table 1Structure of the Education SystemPhase 1 Cycle 1 from preschool until 5 years old Applied since September 1, 2000Cycle 2(Cycle 5–8)from 5 years old until the end of grade 2Phase 2 Cycle 3 grades 3 and 4 (primary education) Applied since September 1, 2007Cycle 4grades 5 and 6 (primary education)Phase 3 Cycle 5 grades 7 and 8 (secondary education) Applied since September 1, 1994;abolished then re-applied sinceSeptember 1, 2006Since 1983, free compulsory schooling starts in Belgium at age 6 and ends at age 18(part-time schooling is available from ages 15 to 18).Belgium, French SystemRole of Preprimary EducationPreschool education is available for children beginning from age 2½, and is free of chargebut not compulsory. Nearly all children are enrolled in preschool education at age 3. Inthe 2004–05 school year, 176,215 children attended preschool—51% were boys and 49%were girls. 8 Ninety-one percent of these children were born in Belgium.By the end of Cycle 1 (from 2½ to 5 years old), the child must be able to recognizesocial and school written documents, be able to choose a book or to find a specificbook in the reading corner or in a library, link a word or a sentence with a picture, andrecognize some documents according to their layout (e.g., letter, entry ticket). Essentially,with the help of an adult, children must be able to handle the various types of writtendocuments of everyday life.44