More and more VMBO students are completing a course at a higher level
Pupils who follow the VMBO basic or VMBO framework route more and more often complete subjects at a higher level. This is shown by research by SEO, an institute affiliated with the University of Amsterdam. Favorite subject is English, followed by Dutch and mathematics.
Picture: type tank
In the 2017/18 school year, around 8 percent of the final exam students (1500 students) took a basic pre-vocational education exam in a subject at a higher level. In the VMBO frame, this was 4 percent (about 1000 students). Five years earlier, those numbers were lower: at VMBO basis, around 600 students took an exam at a higher level. In the pre-vocational education (pre-vocational secondary education) it was still about 380 students.
According to the researchers, it is mainly VMBO students who make use of this option. Havo students are less tempted to take an exam at a higher level. 'Less than 1 percent of the total number of final exam candidates in HAVO choose a subject at a higher level,' say the researchers. Especially students who graduate to a lower level often continue to follow a number of subjects at the level from which they come.
Courses
Students at any school level most often choose to take English at a higher level. A school leader in secondary education says in the study: 'You see big differences in the starting level in English. Some students are 'absolute beginners', others are already quite fluent in the language.' Dutch and mathematics are also favorite subjects for pre-vocational secondary education basis and framework, while HAVO students also opt for general science.
With English you see big differences in the starting level
Organization
In two thirds of the schools, students complete subjects at a higher level. It occurs especially in schools that have the higher level 'in house'. The organization usually works out well, as secondary schools indicate in a survey. This concerns a small number of students and often teachers, counselors and students make an effort to make it possible. The biggest obstacles are fitting the course schedules and entering the grades in software that is not designed for students who follow multiple levels.
According to the researchers, following a subject at a higher level has a positive effect on the students' motivation and self-esteem. For pre-vocational secondary education students in particular, it is a 'boost' for their motivation. 'Ambitious students can show that they have more to offer,' says one respondent.
Taking a subject at a higher level has a positive effect on the motivation and self-esteem of the students
Lower level
There is enthusiasm among pupils and schools to also be able to complete subjects at a lower level. Schools believe this is especially important for students for whom one subject is a huge obstacle. Colleges and universities are afraid of the level of the program. MBO courses are more positive about the idea.
Coalition agreement
In early July, education ministers sent Slob and Van Engelshoven the report to the House of Representatives. They asked to list the pros and cons of completing courses at a different level. This investigation had already been announced in the coalition agreement. The VO council in particular, the umbrella organization of school boards in secondary education, is in favor of a 'tailor-made diploma'. The Education Council was earlier critical, because it could reduce the value of diplomas.
At the moment, students can only take a subject at a higher level and take an exam in it. It does not count towards the diploma, but schools can - since 2014 - add a plus document to the diploma and the list of marks stating that the student has completed a subject at a higher level. This is not an obligation.
