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From Napoleon to Sarkozy: Two Hundred Years of the Baccalauréat Exam

2008; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 5; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/15434300801934728

1543-4311

Samira El Atia,

Historical Studies and Socio-cultural Analysis

Abstract In March 17th, 2008, the Baccalauréat exam in France celebrates 200 years since its establishment. The Baccalauréat is the French national examination to complete secondary education and determine admission to higher education. A byproduct of several factors: the strict educational philosophy of the Jesuits, the radical reforms of the French Revolution, and the mania for quantification of the Napoleonic administration, the Baccalauréat is France's most famous and most controversial exam. The Baccalauréat evolved from one single rhetoric test of classical authors in Latin and Greek-Baccalauréat es Lettres- to become a complex system of examination of three different types of Baccalauréat (General., Professional, and Technological) with multiple sections within each off these types. It is a national exam open to all French citizens- and some foreigners- who meet its requirements. Its importance did not cease to grow: in 1808, 31 candidates sat for the exam, and in 2007, almost half a million candidates took part in it. The Baccalauréat is handled completely and exclusively by the ministry of education and the whole examination undergoes a complex bureaucratic process that was set in order to ensure its fairness and merit based. Throughout its history, the Baccalauréat has been shaped by legislation and policies that were pushed forward by the government in place at the time. The government of Mr. Sarkozy is promising its share of major changes in education and in the Baccalauréat. If these changes go through, it would make of the Baccalauréat one of the largest and most influential gate-keeping exams in the world. Notes 1Claude Allègre had to resign as minister of education in 2000 (he was appointed in 1997) as a results of major strikes by the personnel of the Ministry of Education. The riots and discontentment of the personnel emanated when he strongly declared that he will trim off this mammoth—referring to the educational institution in France. 2The original quote is “Passage symbolique et obligé, il garde sa valeur du rite. C'est peu, et c'est tellement… . Qui oserait, en effet, s'y attaquer? [Two centuries after its creation, what does the Bac serve? (Almost) nothing. A symbolic and mandatory passage, it has kept its value as a ritual. It is a little, but it is much… who would dare to challenge it?]” 3The original quote is “Le Bac demeure envers et contre tout un examen mythique. On le critique, on le juge caduc, on dit ici et là qu'il a perdu de sa valeur. Il n'en demeure pas moins la preuve indispensable qu'on a terminé ses études secondaires. C'est, de tous, le premier examen, à la fois nécessaire et insuffisant.” 4Several centers around the world administer the Baccalauréat. These centers are affiliated with a French university and academy. 5The name of the body that controlled education has never been the same; it changed several times, so for the sake of this article, I refer to this body as the “Ministry of Education.” 6Art. 16: “There will be three degrees offered by all colleges/universities: The Baccalauréat, the Licence, and the Doctorate.” Art. 17: “The degrees will be bestowed by the colleges/universities following examinations and public hearings/acts.” Art. 19: “To be admitted to sit for the Baccalauréat exam in the colleges of letters, the candidate is required to: 1° be at least sixteen years old of age; 2° be able to answer questions on all that is taught in the upper classes in high schools.” 7In the French system of education, for many of the engineering programs, students must attend the “grandes écoles” instead of universities. These are highly competitive and academic institutions with a rigid system of selection. Again, Napoleon established this system of education where the brightest of France continue their education. 8Inspectors work under the supervision of the rectors. The latter are at the head of the academies, and they directly represent the minister of education. 9The original quote is “On l'a toujours critiqué avec violence, mais on l'a sans cesse exigé avec ardeur. Il est le fanal vers lequel, depuis plus d'un siècle, la France dirige tous ceux qu'elle croit être les meilleurs de ses enfants.”