First CLÉ test in French-speaking primary schools: fluent reading, but vocabulary and comprehension lag
Nearly 50,000 pupils sat the new non-certifying test in September, with an average maths score of 61 percent.
In the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, every fourth-year primary pupil took the CLÉ test for the first time in September, an external assessment of arithmetic, reading and writing. A total of 49,329 children took part, La Libre and DH reported, citing Belga. Unlike the CEB in the sixth year, the test does not lead to a certificate. Education Minister Valérie Glatigny (MR) presented the results to a parliamentary committee on Monday, in answer to a question from Mathilde Vandorpe (Les Engagés).
In maths, pupils scored 61 percent on average. Comparing numbers, the decimal system, and estimating and measuring quantities went best, with scores between 74 and 78 percent. Calculating area and perimeter, problem solving and fractions emerged as the weak spots.
In French, children read an average of 97.5 words per minute, well above the set threshold. Writing scored 62.8 percent, reading comprehension 54 percent and vocabulary, at around 49 percent, came last. DH sums it up as reading quickly without always understanding. In their feedback, teachers complained about long tests, difficult arithmetic tasks, little time for writing exercises and hard words in the instructions. Glatigny calls that feedback not fully representative but food for thought, and wants to use the results to fine-tune support for pupils.