No more asterisks and traffic lights: grades are now compulsory in Zurich’s schools

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Anyone teaching at a primary school in Zurich is not allowed to use alternative grading systems such as crowns, rockets or feedback discussions. As of now, grades are compulsory from 2nd grade. The cantonal council made a final decision on Monday in second reading on this amendment to the law on primary education. The cantonal council thus rejects the education council, which considered alternative assessment systems without the traditional assessment system. For example, oral testimonies or a traffic light system were under discussion.

But now the duty to report is enshrined in law. In the final vote, 101 voted in favor and 62 against. Alternative grading systems are only allowed in first grade and special educational measures.

Left parties are against it

The proposal was supported by the Conservatives and the Center. They fear that school grades could one day fall victim to the zeitgeist if they are not enshrined in law. The bourgeois also quarreled with the economy, which relies on numbers as a yardstick.

The left-green side voted against the proposal. She criticized the fact that the compulsory grades would limit the powers of the board of education. This body is responsible for the content and form of the performance review, not the subdistrict council.

The amendment to the law is the result of a parliamentary initiative by the FDP, SVP, EVP, Mitte and GLP. (SDA/rba)

Source:Blick