Here, you may find a compilation of helpful links and documents regarding the subject of start of school:

Berlin

Turkish-German school information – Hand in hand with the school for your child's sake!

Basic information about the following topics can be downloaded free of charge as .pdf files from the internet page of Arbeitskreis Neue Erziehung e.V.:

• Cooperation with elementary schools in Berlin
• Which is my child's level? – Performance assessment at the elementary school
• Choice of foreign language lessons, eligible compulsory lessons, transition to the 4^th grade
• How to proceed after the elementary school - decision aid to choose the appropriate secondary school

Guides to important topics regarding elementary schools in Berlin may be obtained at a price of EUR 3.00 incl. forwarding expenses via the ordering service of Arbeitskreis Neue Erziehung e.V. These guides are especially helpful for preparing parents' meetings. The following topics are dealt with:

• Guide for new parents' spokespersons about the cooperation with the elementary school
• All about the timetable – general set-up of elementary schools
• Joint education of children with or without handicap
• Marks and verbal reports – performance assessment from the 1^st to the 6^th grade
• Homework, guide for elementary schools and after-school care centres
• Order and punishment – guide to the topic of discipline for elementary schools
• Who is in charge actually – at home and in the classroom? Guide to the development of indenpence of children of the elementary school age
• Violence – as early as in the elementary school? Working aid for parents' meetings
• Orientation for school enrolment, guide to enrolment at an ordinary school
• How to proceed after the elementary school?

Arbeitskreis Neue Erziehung offers telephone advice for parents about issues regarding elementary schools in Berlin. Here, parents may obtain free of charge advice by phone or e-mail on legal or educational school issues.

On the occasion of 2009 school start, the Education Administration of the Berlin Senate offers free of charge a downloadable information paper for parents: „On the Occasion of 2009 School Start – A Guide for Parents of School-beginners“. Here, parents may find information and advice regarding everyday school life, parents' issues, the Berlin school system, and special offers of schools in Berlin.

Parents may find hints for transferring  to the Berlin grammar school (secondary grade I) under: Information of the Berline Senate – How to proceed after the elementary school? 2009/2010. A guide entitled "Guide to the general school, junior high school, Gymnasium, common school and comprehensive high school" describes the different school types existing at present as well as their special features.  

In the Berlin district of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, parents may get advice from the Inter-cultural Family Advice Centre of Arbeitskreis Neue Erziehung. Consultations are offered in German, Turkish, Arabic, English and Spanish.

Bremen

Parents in Bremen may get information about school enrolment in the brochure „On the Occasion of School Start  – Information for Parents“ about the "How“ and "What“ of learning at Bremen's elementary schools, including 10 hints for learning to read and write. Free-of-charge download.

Parents may get information about the transfer to Bremen's secondary schools in the brochure " Secondary School – Information for Parents“. Free-of-charge download.

Hamburg

Parents in Hamburg may obtain information about basic issues of the elementary school from the brochure "On the Occasion of School Start – School year 2009/10“. Here, the locations of Hamburg's 15 regional advice and aid centres are also given where parents may ask for advice in case of school difficulties of their children. Free-of-charge download.

Hamburg offers a "Parents' Special Guide for Foreign Parents – We Have a Say" in several languages.  Rights and obligations of parents as well as questions regarding German language lessons are explained in Arabic, English, Farsi, French, Polish, Russian, Serbo-croatian-Bosnian, Spanish and Turkish. Furthermore, addresses of advice centres and offers for the entire school education and professional training period as well as integration offers for migrants are listed.  Free-of-charge download.

Hesse

The brochure "Our Child Starts School - Information for Migrant Parents“ informs migrant and non-migrant parents about school and upbringing topics. It contains hints and advice regarding the cooperation between parents and schools as well as information about questions arising from the school start of children having a migration background such as linguistic promotion, teaching methods or care opportunities. Free-of-charge download.

The Hesse Parents' Union offers a parents' hotline for school issues in Hesse as well as cheap information brochures for parents' representatives in Hesse to be ordered via www.elternbund.de

Northrhine-Westphalia

The brochure "The Elementary School in Northrhine-Westphalia – Information and Advice for Parents“ informs parents about the school start and other elementary school issues: What do children learn, which are the school subjects, how can parents and school cooperate properly. Free-of-charge download.

Information about the present school law in Northrhine-Westphalia and about school reforms are presented in the brochure "We Have to Take Along Every Child! The New School Law  in Northrhine-Westphalia". This free-of-charge brochure may as well be downloaded in Russian and Turkish.

For the secondary stage in Northrhine-Westphalia, parents are offered information in Turkish about secondary and junior high schools, Gymnasium and comprehensive schools about issues regarding the further school career of their children: How to proceed after the elementary school? Which preparatory school of secondary grade I is most appropriate for the talents, likings and interests of my child? Where are the best opportunities offered for his/her further positive development at school? This free-of-charge brochure presents the various school types of secondary grade I and contains important information to assist parents in selecting the most appropriate school type for their child. 

Saxony

The brochure „A Good Start – Elementary Schools in Saxony“ provides parents with information about the tasks and subjects of the Saxon elementary schools as well as hints regarding the dialogue with the school. Free-of-charge download.

The brochure about the secondary/junior high schools „Fit for the Future – Comprehensive Schools and Gymnasiums in Saxony“ offers parents advice on selecting a preparatory school, on the main areas of comprehensive schools and gymnasiums in Saxony and on the further way of education or training. Free-of-charge download. 

Here, you may find advice about upbringing issues and learning difficulties:

You may find advice centres for upbringing issues near your place of residence here: www.bke.de / "Für Ratsuchende“ / "Beratungsstellen-Suche“. Enter your postal code and select the advice centre nearest to your place of residence, or use the online consultation option. You may also search for advice centres specialised in particular language and culture areas.

You may find advice centres for learning difficulties via the internet page www.schulpsychologie.de. Select the Federal Land you live in and find the nearest advice centre or use the e-mail consultation option.