The French Public Education System — Ah to Zed
12:00 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2006
University Java in Spiva Library
Admission: Pick up free lunch ticket in
Webster 337C at least 24 hours in advance

Presenters: Dr. William Edwards, assistant professor of teacher education, and Dr. Gloria Payne, professor of teacher education

Dr. Edwards and Dr. Payne presented an overview of the French public education system beginning with the national preschool program, the ecole maternelle, through compulsory education in the ecole primaire, the ecole college, and the equivalent of the American high school, the ecole lycee. Selected comparisons and references to American public education were made throughout the presentation. The presentation also discussed the highly prestigious grandes écoles. These exclusive schools are a form of higher education outside the public university system. The grand écoles are generally focused on a single subject area, such as engineering, and are highly selective in student admission. Traditionally the grand écoles have produced most of France’s managing directors and executives.