Skipping a year at school: beyond the myths

Our education system needs to focus on gaining skills, not on every pupil achieving a certain level of skills. Minimal standards do make sense, but we need to be aware that a certain group has already got the required level in the beginning of the school year. Not considering accelerating this group constraints education to occupational therapy. This report from Carl Van Keirsbilck and Ivan Van de Cloot argues that pupils and students should be allowed to skip a year more often in Flanders. It is fundamental to accurately detect these gifted children through recurring standardized tests above level. The authors also hope that the issue of children with an educational advance will not be forgotten in the secondary education reform plans.