Germany: Steps to More Responsibility and Efficiency in an Expanding System

Abstract

This chapter first outlines central reforms introduced to education in Germany in the past decade: the expansion of education and care opportunities available for children under the age of three, diverse state reform measures in school education in consequence of findings from the first PISA study 2000, tendencies of change in the vocational education and training system and the implementation of a consecutive structure of study courses as well as new approaches to governance in higher education. Although the field of continuing education remained little affected by reform impetus, developments in the area of educational monitoring are remarkable. The further development of the education system is conditioned by demographic development, labour market demands and family structural changes. Against this background, it is necessary to remove social inequity in education, to further advance endeavours towards an inclusive education system that have recently been intensified and to rebalance vocational education and higher education systems. Furthermore, continuing education needs to be addressed by reform measures in the future.