Voices into Action (VIA) Toolkit

A digital resource supporting learner and family participation in educational decision-making

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Germany

Parents’ councils at the regional level

About:

At the regional level, families can participate in democratically elected parents’ councils. In the German state of Hesse, for example, the parents’ council has 19 members representing the 10 different types of schools. The parents’ council is in direct contact with the Hessian Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs.

Outcomes:

The parents’ councils engage in constructive discussion about, as well as development and implementation of, state-level education proposals affecting learners in Hesse. In some cases, they are involved in decisions regarding school curricula, regulations and decrees. Depending on the issue at hand, the Ministry comes to them for approval, consultation or simply to share information.

Approval is generally needed for issues around:

  • provisions on educational objectives and courses of education, particularly in curricula and examination regulations that can shape schools’ teaching systems;
  • provisions governing admission to secondary schools and transitions between educational pathways;
  • guidelines for selecting learning materials;
  • school regulations.

Key element(s) of the VIA Framework:

This example reflects SPACE, AUDIENCE and INFLUENCE. Parents have a direct line to their state’s ministry of education. Not only do they have a formalised presence that is recognised by the Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs, but they are able to directly influence decision-making processes that affect their children.