The German School System

Inaccessibility - Is Gesamtschule the Best Solution?

Presenter: Hannah Elizabeth Lodge

Presenter Status: Undergraduate student

Academic Year: 20-21

Semester: Spring

Faculty Mentor: Michaela Grobbel

Department: Modern Languages & Literatures

Screenshot URL: https://drive.google.com/uc?id=190-HvlezLvgIvTCyH0T7vgUy-YRkWWAT

Abstract:
This project investigates whether or not the current tiered school system disadvantages students in Germany of a minority background (minority meaning: one who belongs to an ethnic, cultural, socio-economic minority, or one who is disabled physically or mentally.  My findings show that Germany’s public school system has been systemically failing to provide equal opportunities in education for a large percentage of students on the basis of income, ethnicity, and minority status.  I conclude with the suggestion that a comprehensive school model similar to Gesamtschule, along with the elimination of Sonderschule and Förderschule, would greatly be of benefit to all students in Germany.