Cultural Overview - French Education

In 1971, France passed a law that created a system of continuing education for adults who, for whatever reason, were not able to complete their education when they were younger. This system is called “la formation permanente” and is designed to diminish the educational inequalities that exist in France. Since 1971, millions of French people have taken advantage of continuing education programs to advance their jobs. Adults are now able to take bac equivalency exams in order to attend the university. In France, social status, pay and job advancement are very closely tied to educational degrees. A second chance to go to college is therefore very important. However, compared to the U.S., there very few returning adult students at the universities. Instead, most of them are in vocational programs that develop specific skills and prepare for specific jobs.


Source: Bragger, D. Jeannette and Donald B. Rice. Allons-y! Le Français par Etapes. 6th ed. p. 277. Boston : Thomson Heinle.