The IQB Education Trend, which conducts a regular review of educational performance in German schools, has published alarming results for 2021. Particularly among students in the 4. There is a significant drop in performance in the fourth grade.
The study showed that students have particular difficulties in the subjects of mathematics and German. There has been a significant drop in performance compared to the previous year, which could have worrying implications for their future educational and professional careers.
The reasons for this negative trend are manifold and can range from poor teacher quality to inadequate learning conditions. However, it is clear that urgent action is needed to reverse this trend and enable students to reach their full potential.
In this series of articles, we take a closer look at the findings of IQB’s Education Trend 2021 and discuss possible solutions to ensure that students do not fall behind their capabilities.
Education trend 2021: 4th grade students. Class show significant drop in performance on IQB test
The results of the latest IQB education trend show a worrying trend for students in 4th grade. Class. Compared to 2017 results, children scored significantly lower in reading, math and English language skills.
Especially in the area of reading, students show a significant drop in performance. Only 72 percent of fourth graders met required minimum standards, down from 79 percent in 2017. A similar picture emerged in the other areas as well.
The results of the IQB Education Trend are an important indicator of school performance and the effectiveness of the education system. The significant drop in performance among students in the 4. 4th grade results make it clear that urgent action is needed. Causes need to be explored and appropriate interventions developed to raise achievement standards and improve educational outcomes.
- Possible reasons for the drop in performance:
- Unfavorable learning conditions during the COVID 19 pandemic
- Lack of reading promotion and motivation in schools and at home
- Overloaded by curriculum and demanding testing standards
Lack of achievement among students in 4. Grade: A detailed analysis
The results of the IQB Education Trend 2021 speak a clear language: among students in the 4. There is a significant drop in performance in the 4th grade. But what could this be due to? A close look at the data shows that competencies in mathematics and reading are particularly affected.
For example, only 64% of students now achieve the required proficiency level in math, down from 71% in 2017. The situation is similar for reading competencies: Here, only 67% of students now meet the required level, down from 72% in 2017. Particularly alarming is the fact that the decline can be observed above all among the lower-performing students.
But what are the reasons for this drop in performance?? One possible explanation could be the impact of the Corona pandemic on everyday school life. School closures, homeschooling, and the lack of regular face-to-face instruction may have had a negative impact on student learning. The social and economic impact of the pandemic on families, and thus on students’ learning environments, could also play a role.
However, there are also positive aspects to consider: The survey shows that students are achieving higher proficiency in science than they did in 2017. Here, the percentage of those meeting the required proficiency level is 74%, up from 68% in 2017. Another encouraging development is in the area of social skills: Here, results show an increase, especially in the area of conversational skills and dealing with conflicts.
Reasons for the drop in performance
The IQB Education Trend 2021 results show that students in the 4. Grade show a significant drop in performance. There are several reasons why children of this age perform worse:
- Lack of concentration: Many children have difficulty concentrating for long periods of time, which leads to mistakes and carelessness.
- Too little practice: Many parents have less time to practice with their children and help them learn due to workload or other commitments.
- Too much distraction: Due to digitalization and the many possibilities for entertainment and games, children are often distracted from learning and thus lose focus.
- Lack of motivation: some children feel that they are less likely to succeed as a result of moving on to secondary school and are therefore less motivated to try hard.
It is important that parents and teachers work together to promote children’s motivation and concentration and to give them the support they need in learning.
Improving student performance
The Education Trend 2021 of the Institute for Quality Development in Education (IQB) shows that the performance of students in the 4. There has been a significant drop in the number of students in the 2nd grade in Germany. Various measures can be taken to counteract this trend.
First of all, it is important that teachers address the needs of their students individually and offer them targeted support. This can also include special support programs or tutoring sessions.
Another way to improve performance is to introduce more differentiated learning methods. Instead of relying exclusively on frontal instruction, group work, projects or experimental learning could also be used. Here, students learn independently and become active participants in classroom activities.
- Support programs and tutoring
- Differentiated learning methods
In addition, extracurricular activities such as study groups or field trips can also help to increase students’ motivation and improve their performance. Parents can also provide support here by actively accompanying their children in their learning or helping them to acquire additional knowledge.
In order to monitor the effectiveness of the measures taken and adjust them if necessary, it is advisable to conduct regular performance reviews, also taking into account individual strengths and weaknesses.
Overall, then, there are several ways to address the drop in performance of students in the 4. to counteract class problems and improve their performance. Individualized and differentiated instruction as well as targeted support measures can be of great importance in this regard.
Our education systems must adapt to the situation
The Education Trend 2021 of the Institute for Quality Development in Education (IQB) shows that students in the 4. class in Germany saw a significant drop in performance. The reasons for this are many and include the restrictions imposed by the Corona pandemic, which has affected schooling in all areas.
It is clear that there is a need for all stakeholders in the education system to work together to address and solve the problems. It is also obvious that even better adjustments are needed in the future, not only to overcome this crisis, but also to improve the education system and provide better support for students.
- In any case, a sensible measure is to provide teachers with more training in e-learning methods, so that they are able to provide students with appropriate support even in times of crisis.
- It is also important to design learning content and learning objectives that respond to the challenges of the current situation.
- Another possible solution is to target students in school to close gaps and ensure adequate support in education.
Overall, however, it remains to be seen that merely adapting the education system to the current crisis is not enough. Instead, we must succeed in improving and modernizing the education system in the long term to provide students with the best education possible.