Saxony Plans to Revise Overall Grades in Schools

Saxony plans to revise the overall grades given in schools. A commission is to submit proposals by the end of the year regarding which skills will be assessed in the future, as Minister of Education and Cultural Affairs Conrad Clemens (CDU) told the “Leipziger Volkszeitung” and the “Sächsische Zeitung.”

Work Ethic and Social Behavior Under Discussion

“Personally, I consider conduct grades more important than ever,” said Clemens. However, they must reflect contemporary competencies. He could envision redefining and simplifying the current assessment criteria, for example, to focus on work ethic and social behavior. Teamwork, respect, and creative thinking could also play a role. The commission is to include representatives of the student body, teachers, school administrators, as well as representatives from business and academia.

Four criteria on report cards so far

Saxony’s report cards have so far assessed orderliness, diligence, participation, and conduct. In 2023, a panel of experts recommended abolishing overall conduct grades and replacing them with individualized feedback. The “Saxony: A State of Education 2030” strategy, presented in 2024, retained overall conduct grades while also providing for a more transparent process for evaluating academic and social behavior.