Full integration into school. Shulamt

Question

For the last two years, my son has been enrolled in the preparatory class at his school to study German. According to official recommendations, this preparatory phase should usually last one year. However, my son has now been in this preparatory status for two years, and we have just been informed that he will remain under the same conditions for a third year.

During the second year of the preparatory course, my son was partially integrated into a gymnasium, attending classes twice a week. However, he has not been allowed to fully transition into the regular school system. The decision to extend the preparatory course for a third year was made by the director of the gymnasium in cooperation with the Schulamt.

Based on our experience last year, I have the impression that the gymnasium management is not fully committed to successfully integrating my son into their school. Despite recommendations from his teachers and the principal from school that my son is ready to be fully integrated into a regular classroom and transition to the general education program, this has not happened.

All of my son's classmates have already received placements in regular schools, while my son remains in limbo. This is especially frustrating because, according to his teacher, my son is not behind in his studies; in fact, he is considered one of the best students in the class.

Making the situation even more complicated, the Schulamt has informed me that they will not assist in finding a place for my son in a regular school. I am confident that my son will not be able to stay in the gymnasium due to significant gaps in his knowledge caused by these delays. This essentially means that we are losing an entire year unnecessarily.

Additionally, my son is expected to be evaluated according to the school curriculum this year, despite not being able to attend all classes. This situation directly impacts his right to fair and equal education, which is guaranteed by laws.

What can I do when the Schulamt says the case is closed? How can I advocate for my son's right to equal education when my requests for assistance are being denied? I would greatly appreciate any guidance or advice on where to seek further support.

Answer 1

Hi @Olha_from_m

Your son is currently at stage two of DaZ classes. While stages one and two can be completed in a year, some school pupils need longer to get to stage three, where they are fully integrated in the school lessons and only receive additional German tuition if necessary.

You refer to a school director and a school principal. This is generally just one role, known as Schulleiter or Schulleiterin. The Schulamt will base their decision on what his teacher and/or school principal feel is appropriate so I do not understand why their recommendations were disregarded.

You should have consultations about your son’s progress called Bildungsberatung with the school over the course of the DaZ classes. His teacher should discuss together with you and your son about how he’s doing with the language and when he can move to stage three of DaZ.

Your son is at secondary school level. The Schulamt does not assign a particular school to him. At primary school level, it is determined according to what school district. At secondary, you are free to apply to the schools that your son would like to go to, as long as he fulfils the requirements (i.e. the recommendation ‘Bildungsempfehlung’ for the Gymnasium if he wishes to go to one). You do not have to wait until the end of school year. For example, if someone moves to a new city during a school year, they also have to apply at a school of their choice and are not assigned one by the Schulamt.

For young migrants between the ages of 12-27 there are youth migration advisory services (JMD – Jugendmigrationsdienste) throughout Germany. They have experience in dealing with schools. Here you can **** for one:

https://***-jugendmigrationsdienste-de.translate.goog/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp

If you feel your son if being treated unfairly with respect to other school pupils, then you could discuss this with an anti-discrimination office:

https://***.antidiskriminierungsstelle.de/EN/we-offer-advice-to-you/we-offer-advice-to-you-node.html

The services are for free, in English and confidential.

You say that his grades are good. If, however, his German language ability still needs to improve, then you could organise some extra tuition (in German ‘Nachhilfe’) for him. Depending on your financial situation, this tuition can be paid for by the Jobcenter or Sozialamt.

Please note that school education in Germany is a state matter. Each state can regulate things like DaZ slightly differently, although the information I have provided should be more or less the same throughout Germany.

Best,

Éanna