Pupil/Student assessment
The learner’s/student’s performance in post-secondary non-tertiary education and training programmes for persons in employment (BHS-Kollegs) and add-on courses (Aufbaulehrgänge an BHS) at VET colleges, and for healthcare professions is measured with individual examinations and performance assessments - including oral or written examinations as well as project work - and the indication of “participation” in the respective subject by the teachers of the subject in question.
In the case of individual examinations and assessments the performance is rated/evaluated with the marks 1 (best) to 5 (insufficient, failed), participation with “successfully participated” or “failed”. The assessment of practical subjects is based on the grades “passed with distinction”, “passed with merit”, “passed” and “failed”.
Each examination can be repeated twice. If the result is again negative here, it can be taken as a partial examination within the framework of the diploma examination. If the student does not pass an internship class, the internship must be repeated entirely.
Halfway through the school year a semester/term message is handed over to the learner/student, at the end of the training year a certificate is issued, in both cases signed by the director of the school.
What refers continuing education programmes (Hochschullehrgänge, Universitätslehrgänge) for non-traditional learners at higher education institutions (public universities, private universities, universities of applied sciences and teacher training colleges), the student assessment modalities are determined by the respective university how this also applies for the admission requirements (e. g. first degree or an equivalent qualification such as a degree from a non-university educational institution and/or several years of professional experience).
As an example: Part of the assessment procedure might be module objectives, the immanent assessment of the oral and written seminar contributions, the timely and successful completion of the written and practical assessments, as well as the creation of an accompanying performance portfolio. A positively assessed portfolio including presentation is a prerequisite for successful, positive completion of the university course.
Progression of pupils/students
Learners/students in post-secondary non-tertiary education and training programmes for people in employment (BHS-Kollegs) and add-on courses (Aufbaulehrgänge an BHS) at VET colleges, and programmes for healthcare professions can move up to the next school level/year if they have successfully completed the subjects and compulsory training internships according to the underlying curricula.
A school level is successfully completed if the annual report shows an assessment in all compulsory subjects and does not contain a grade of “unsatisfactory” in any compulsory subject.
If this is not the case, the school level must always be repeated or repeat examinations must be taken.
However, promotion is possible with a maximum of one “fail” in the annual report if the school level in question has already been repeated and the student in question was graded at least “satisfactory” in the same subject in the previous school year.
Alternatively, promotion is possible with a maximum of one “fail” in accordance with the decision of the class conference if the learner/student concerned was not already assessed with a “fail” in the relevant compulsory subject in the previous school year and the relevant compulsory subject is provided for in the curriculum.
An appeal can be lodged with the responsible school authority against a decision by the class conference that promotion is not possible with a “fail” (Nicht Genügend) in the case in question.
The responsible school authority shall decide on the objections received within two weeks. Until the school authority has issued a decision in the appeal proceedings the learner/student is entitled to attend classes in the next school level.
The progression of non-traditional students at higher education institutions (public universities, private universities, universities of applied sciences and teacher training colleges) enrolled in continuing education programmes (Hochschullehrgänge, Universitätslehrgänge) depends on the requirements of the specific programme, the determined criteria for the proof of performance (immanent assessment of performance e g. of literature work/Internet research, seminar contribution, presentation, minutes, observation diary, documentation of practical sequences; reflective paper) and the form of assessment (e. g. “participated successfully” / “participated without success”).
Certification
Successfull learners/students in post-secondary non-tertiary education and training programmes for adult persons in employment (BHS-Kollegs) and add-on courses (Aufbaulehrgänge an BHS) at VET colleges receive a maturity and diploma exam certificate representing a full university entrance qualification equivalent to their “programme age typical” colleagues in the initial VET path (starting with the age of 15 years).
The successful completion of a continuing education programmes at higher education institutions (public universities, private universities, universities of applied sciences and teacher training colleges (Universitätslehrgänge, Hochschullehrgänge) might be documented by various qualification titles, e. g. certificate, academic degree, academic degree with a supplement characterising the content of the respective course, Master's degree.
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