after twelve years, or '''' in eight years (G8 or Gy8) describes the reduction of the time spent at a university-preparatory high school from nine school years to eight school years, by having the students take more classes each year. It is implemented in many States of Germany. In the states of Berlin, Brandenburg, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the reduction meant a change from seven years to six years spent in high school because in these states primary education continues until Class 6. In Saxony and Thuringia it is already a long established norm to take the after twelve years. The principal argument for the reduction is the comparatively long times for vocational education in Germany.

Some federal states, chiefly in the former Federal Republic of Germany, have already reversed the reform even though sound academic insights into its effects are scarce.Huebener, M. & Marcus, J. (2015): Empirische Befunde zu Auswirkungen der G8-Schulzeitverkürzung, DIW Roundup No. 57, 02/2015. for an overview of the legislation in February 2015.

Year of reform by state

State Introduction Previously in effect Baden-Württemberg Abolished;final G8 graduatingcohort in 2031 2012 until 2031 Bavaria Abolished 2012 until 2024 Berlin Yes (2012–) 1949 until 2000 (East Berlin) Brandenburg Yes (2012–) 1949 until 2000 Bremen Yes (2012–) Hamburg Yes (2010–) Hesse Yes (2013–)(choice between G8 and G9 is free) Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Yes (2008–) 1949 until 2001 Lower Saxony Abolished 2011 until 2019 North Rhine-Westphalia Abolished;final G8 graduating cohort in 2025 2012 until 2025 Rhineland-Palatinate Yes (2016–)(only as a pilot project for full-time schools) Saarland Abolished;final G8 graduating cohort in 2028 2009 until 2028 Saxony Yes (1949–) Saxony-Anhalt Yes (2007–) 1949 until 2000 Schleswig-Holstein Abolished;final G8 graduating cohort in 2025 2016 until 2025 Thuringia Yes (1949–)

Criticism In part, parent, teacher and student organizations express criticism, exclusively from the Western States of Germany. In spite of the removal of one school year, the contents of the previous thirteen years were in the curriculum. This meant that the school timetable was enlarged and that the students had to be at school for between 32 and 40 periods a week. With the homework given and exam preparations, a school week was estimated to be 45 to 55 periods.

However, little empirical evidence assesses the effect of the compression of instructional periods into fewer years of schooling on student outcomes.Huebener, M. & Marcus, J. (2015): Empirische Befunde zu Auswirkungen der G8-Schulzeitverkürzung, DIW Roundup No. 57, 02/2015.

References

External links Huebener, M. & Marcus, J. (2015): Moving up a gear: The impact of compressing instructional time into fewer years of schooling, DIW Discussion Papers, No. 1450. www.g8-in-bayern.de — The in eight years in Bavaria