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🇦🇹 Austria /Culture & Society

German language classes lead to year repetition for a quarter of students

From Der Standard · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A quarter of students placed in German language support classes repeat a school year, with 3% repeating twice.
  • New rules for the controversial MIKA-D allocation test will take effect in the fall.
  • The evaluation of the education department shows that 22% of students in these classes repeated a year in the 2022/23 school year.

A significant portion of students in German language support classes face academic setbacks, with a quarter repeating at least one school year. Data from the education department reveals that 22% of students who were first placed in a German support class during the 2022/23 school year had to repeat a year, and an additional 3% repeated two years.

These findings highlight challenges within the current system for students struggling with the language of instruction. The allocation test, known as MIKA-D, which determines placement in these support classes, has been a subject of controversy. In response to these outcomes, modified rules for the MIKA-D test and progression to higher school levels will be implemented starting this fall.

The evaluation, which analyzed data from 22,800 students, indicates a substantial impact on their academic progression. The upcoming changes aim to introduce more flexible progression rules, potentially offering a different pathway for students needing language support.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Der Standard in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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