Fre105 Handout 8 (see I and II)
From Day-Care to University
In France, the 12 million kids are required to go to school from ages 6 to 16. Every school, even university, can be free.
The system starts early, as babies only a few months old and young children up to the age of two are cared for in public day-care centers, or sometimes centers run by parents. Between two and five years old, children go to maternelle (preschool). At six, they enter elementary school where, like in the U.S., they learn to read and write, and study mathematics, history and geography. The school day usually goes from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and continues in the afternoon from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.  m. During the  two-hour lunch break, kids can go home or eat at la cantine (cafeteria). 
Students then move on to junior high, which is called college, between the ages of 11 and 14. Two foreign languages, sciences, computer science, economics, arts, physical education and more are in the program. 

Public or private

Le lycée (high school) is then the final step before university. Students choose the specialty of their studies for the last two years of high school and on which they will be tested in the Baccalauréat, a week-long final exam covering all subjects studied in the Lycée. The final diploma, which young people usually refer to as the bac, is needed to get into a university. At 18 years old or more, 2.2 million students go to the university for free, some to private universities(very few), while others will try to gain admission to what are called the Grandes Écoles which are very rigorous in selecting students, and require a small tuition. From day-care to university, French parents can obviously choose between public or private schools. Both systems are good as France boasts one of the highest literacy rate in the world: 99%. All have to comply by national standards.
Questions : 
1.  At what age can little French kids start "school"?
2. What are the US equivalents of  CES ?  of  Lycée ?
3. In class Video clip: 
---Two "colleges" are seen: how are they different? Are there special education needs  ?
---The BAC can be of different types. Give some examples of specialization. 
---Can you explain the fact that the BAC -artistique (plastic arts) was created after MAY 68?
---Extra-curricular activities: comments?
4. DO you notice some differences between the French and US secondary school systems? e.g.  programs, atmosphere in schools/in classes, community and social activities ....Comments.

Reflexion to complete after reading the article above (also for complete infos: check the online articles linked in handouts 8 (I & II) 

1--Give the pro and cons of an education system that focuses on standarized programs and national standards and exams in the primary and secondary education system as well as imposes entrance exams and preparatory classes for the Grandes Ecoles and for some top professional specialized schools (e.g schools of art/ architecture)

2--.  It is said (see online article: Continuity and Change in the System) that school has a symbolic importance for the French. What is it? Which are the principles that govern France 's concept of education ? 

3--. France devotes its largest budget to education 7.3% of GDP , also its education system is the biggest employer, yet there were and still are issues in education.    Outline these.

4. What is the origin and purpose of the system of the higher education institutions called the Grandes Ecoles ?  Explain .

5. Does one study Painting or Music at a university?

6. Vocational training : cite some of the measures that France has taken to help the students on a non-academic track, at the secondary school level.

7.  What does "secular" mean in the context of schools in France?  Can you explain ?  Is this a problem for  multi -culturalism   in the French classrooms is creating? 

7. What ARE the ERASMUS/LINGUA PROGRAMS?