School Policy

Two Levels

The Dutch school system is WAY different than the American school system. I've asked for an explanation several times, but it's still not completely clear. What is clear is that in our school, there are two levels. HAVO and VWO.

At some point, about the age of 12 I think, students are tested. As a result of this test, they are put into different tracks. VWO (the highest), HAVO (the next highest) or VMBO (I think) which is something that no one really wants. I think there's even lower schools, but I'm not clear on it.

So we only have HAVO and VWO. And while they are the two highest levels, the HAVO kids are conditioned to behave as if they are much lower level. The VWO students, on the other hand, are a little better behaved, but they also often have a little air about them, like they know they are smart, that they are the cream of the crop, as it were.

I wonder how I would have faired in a system like this. I would like to think that I would have pulled myself up by my boot straps and gotten into the VWO class. My girlfriend at the time, Patty, would definitely have been a VWO kid - without the attitude. I just know how much attention I gave school work back then. I know that I wasn't that interested in it and that when I got to my senior year and I was able to take only music classes (with the exception of one Government class), I was happy happy happy. I might have actually had an English class in there as well, the first semester.

My partner, Hans, says that VMBO has become so stigmatized that a lot of kids who should be in VMBO are moved up to HAVO because their parents put up such a fuss. So HAVO has become polluted with a lot of kids who would really rather just learn carpentry and not bother with math and English. I think in an environment like that, I would be moved up to VWO. Even to be at the bottom of the VWO class would be better than to be at the top of HAVO.

All of this is on my mind because I just got out of a tenth grade HAVO English class. They are ridiculous. They don't do their homework and they talk constantly. It's painful and exhausting. It's a little disheartening, except for the fact that I have a day off tomorrow and I can prepare for them on Friday. Small bites, that will be my goal.

I had a meeting with my "coach" yesterday. He is an older guy. Henri S. Same name as my department head, which is interesting. He's got horrible fingernails. I want him to rub his hands in vaseline and wear cotton gloves to bed. They are a mess!

Now I have a meeting for new teachers. It's all in Dutch. I'm already exhausted. Looking forward to going home today.

posted by Philip @ 10:15 AM