Saxony's schools dispense with grades in most subjects

Eleven public schools in Saxony will stop awarding grades in most subjects after the fall vacations and test other forms of assessment. This is a result of the "Bildungsland Sachsen 2030" project. Schools are to be given the opportunity to test alternative systems of performance assessment if they want to develop a more differentiated and objective assessment of pupils without additional work for teachers, according to the Ministry of Education.

In elementary school, this can be done in agreement with the school inspectorate if the school conferences - i.e. pupils, teachers and parents - jointly decide to do so. However, numerical grades in the core subjects of German, mathematics and general studies will continue to be given. The subjects of music, art, handicrafts, sport, ethics/religion and English will no longer be graded. However, not all schools will immediately start with alternative assessments in all subjects.

The school trial will run for four years and will be scientifically monitored by the Technical University of Dresden. "Whether with grades or without - everything has its advantages and disadvantages. The school trial is intended to bring more clarity and certainty to the assessment of student performance," emphasized Minister of Education Christian Piwarz (CDU).