The French system developed in the 19th century changed the grade system after 1968. This was part of the educational reforms following the Paris School riots. Under the old system, the French called the classes/grades by the number or the term in descending order. (This was oppsite the American grade system of ascending order.) . This meant 12ème-11éme or CP = child 6 years; 10éme-9éme or CE 1 = child 7 years; 8éme-7éme or CE2 = child 8 years; 6 éme or CM1 = child 9 year; 5 éme = child 10 years; 4 éme = child 11 years; 3 éme = child 12 years; 2 éme = child 13 years; and classe du certifificat d'étude primaire = 14 years. This important diploma don't exist anymore. A French reader tells us, "In my time we referred to the number rather than the letter terms like CP and CE. So I had began school in the 12 ème school program during in October 1949. I was only 5 years old, butbegan school early because I was a prodigy boy. In the old class photographs there is often a slate or card with the grade level indicated. Most children before World War II only went to primary school and never went on to secondary schools. A child would have his Certificat d'étude primaire (" certif ") at 14 years old, some even at 13. The school was made compulsory untill 14 years, but I'm not sure when it was made compulsory. A French reader writes, "To avoid some confusion we used in 1950s quite often the names CP CE CM and so on. Althought ; many old class photo are written with the old number class.

Paris School Riots

The May 1968 Paris student riots had a fundamental impact on French and Wider European society. A part of the impact was on fashion. Just as the War in Viet Nam was having a major imact on American society. The Paris Student Riots are now seen as a major watershead event in France. As Charles Dickens put it about an earlier French Revolution, "They were the best of times, they were the worst of times. Surely the virtual open warfare in the strrets of Paris during those May days shattered the old order in France more surely than any popular uprising since the Great revolution of 1789. Students and police clashed around burning cars and barricades. Half the French work force struck in solidarity-freezing the gears of a society which at the time was enjoying record prosperity. As a result, the mighty Charles de Gaulle fell from what had seemed a presidency for life. Other popular movements were underway that Spring. The U.S. anti-War movement, the Prague Spring, and violence on campuses from Japan to Italy to Mexico. A new world order seemed at hand. The events are relatively unrecognized in America as we were in the grips of our own national upheaval.

American Grades

The American equivalent grades here are a little difficult to represent in the table. This is because elementary or primary schools in America were traditionally grades 1-6 and secondary schools grades 7-12. Secondary school was usually divided into junior high grades 7-8/9 and senior high grades 9/10-12. There were many variations. Some small rural primary schools went hrough grade 8. Some states replaced junir highs with middle schools beginning with grade 6. In most states, however, primary school is through grde six. Thus generally speaking French children begin secondary school a year earlier than American children. A California reader, however, takes issue with this. He writes, " If you consider middle schools as being secondary schools, then in many school districts they begin at the same age as in France. But in the United States it is high schools that are condidered secondary schools, so French secondary schools begin *three* years earlier than American secondary schools. In the minds of Americans there is a larger break between middle school and high school than between elementary and middle school. I think that this comes from the 19th century tradition of a basic education extending to 8th grade, with only middle and upper class kids going on to high school. Where I live each town has its own school district, going up to 8th grade. The high school district is separate, with its own school board, and is fed by a half-dozen local elementary/intermediate districts."

Children's Ages

The French schools require a child be the indicated age for the school year on the 1st of September or by the 31st of December. Thus some of the children by thge end of the year or a year earlier. And of course some children are head back or advanced based on their academic abilities. A child can enter , or passed over a class , if his capacity are very good. The head of the school must prepared a file to the Academy for a decision.

Old School System

The French system developed in the 19th century changed the grade system after 1968. This was part of the educational reforms following the Paris School riots. Under the old system, the French called the classes/grades by the number or the term in descending order. (This was oppsite the American grade system of ascending order.) . This meant 12ème-11éme or CP = child 6 years; 10éme-9éme or CE 1 = child 7 years; 8éme-7éme or CE2 = child 8 years; 6 éme or CM1 = child 9 year; 5 éme = child 10 years; 4 éme = child 11 years; 3 éme = child 12 years; 2 éme = child 13 years; and classe du certifificat d'étude primaire = 14 years. This important diploma don't exist anymore. A French reader tells us, "In my time we referred to the number rather than the letter terms like CP and CE. So I had began school in the 12 ème school program during in October 1949. I was only 5 years old, butbegan school early because I was a prodigy boy. In the old class photographs there is often a slate or card with the grade level indicated. Most children before World War II only went to primary school and never went on to secondary schools. A child would have his Certificat d'étude primaire (" certif ") at 14 years old, some even at 13. The school was made compulsory untill 14 years, but I'm not sure when it was made compulsory. A French reader writes, "To avoid some confusion we used in 1950s quite often the names CP CE CM and so on. Althought ; many old class photo are written with the old number class.

Created: 4:44 PM 11/25/2004
Last updated: 4:44 PM 11/25/2004