Search

The mathematics and experimental science courses in the programs of the upper secondary school in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) are discussed. The paper addresses: (1) the two "secondary levels" within the FRG school system, indicating that the Secondary I-Level (SI) comprises grades 5 through 9 or 10 while the Secondary II-Level (SII) comprises grades 10 or 11 through 13; (2) developments in SI, examining curricula, syllabi, the introduction of a tenth grade in the Hauptschule, and other topics; (3) recent reform of the Gymnasiale Oberstufe (GYO), the senior high school, discussing mathematics and science requirements, students' science course selection behavior, areas of concern (such as the problem of incorporating more applications in science and mathemematics curricula), curriculum development issues, and related concerns; and (4) vocational education and the "Kollegschule" of Nordrhein-Westfalen as a model for the integration of profession-oriented and general education. The newly organized GYO provides courses which represent a much broader spectrum of subjects, such as informatics and jurisprudence. In addition, subjects are divided into compulsory and optional domains and are assigned to one of three different areas. They include language, literature, arts (area I), social sciences (area II), and mathematics, sciences, and technology (area III). (JN)