Core Skills for all Elementary School Students: Launch of the Nationwide 100 Percent Schools Initiative

Berlin, May 20, 2025 – One in five children in Germany cannot read, write, or do arithmetic adequately by the end of fourth grade. 100 Percent Schools want to change that: They share the ambition that all fourth graders should achieve the minimum standard in core skills. To this end, they work nationwide in regional clusters with other schools and additional partners. The focus is on data-driven school development to provide all children with the best possible support in their individual learning processes.

For many years, the results of national and international school performance studies have revealed a worrying trend, which has intensified in some areas since the 2020s: one in five children in Germany cannot read, write or do arithmetic adequately by the end of fourth grade. In Germany, the successful acquisition of basic skills depends particularly strongly on children's social background.

100 Percent Schools want to change this. They share the ambition that all fourth graders should achieve the minimum standard in basic skills (reading, writing, arithmetic). To achieve this, schools are refocusing their efforts: they are tapping into proven and effective methods and materials for targeted changes in teaching that will benefit all students. They take aspects such as motivation, self-regulation, and well-being into account in equal measure. They review their efforts based on data and adjust their measures accordingly. No child should be left behind, regardless of their family background.

To support committed schools on this path, the Beisheim Foundation, the Crespo Foundation, the German Children and Youth Foundation (DKJS), and the Robert Bosch Foundation have joined forces and launched the 100 Percent Schools Initiative.

100 Percent Schools meet students where they are. To do this, they look at each kid's individual learning needs and regularly collect relevant data using diagnostic tools. The schools interpret and use this data so that each child can be supported in their learning process in the best possible way with appropriate learning methods and materials. This kind of data-driven school and lesson development is a core component of the project. 100 Percent Schools also promote other aspects of successful learning, such as social and emotional skills, independence, and a positive classroom and lesson atmosphere.

At least five elementary schools from a region form a cluster. Together with other partners from local government and school authorities, they grow into a community of responsibility. Over time, the 100 Percent Schools Network grows as new clusters join and effective approaches are shared. Schools that have to cope with particularly high levels of stress are the focus, but all schools that share the 100% goal are welcome to join.The regional clusters are supported by the 100 Percent Schools specialist office of the German Children and Youth Foundation (DKJS), which coordinates exchange, training, and school development advice.

"In elementary school, children learn to read, write, and do arithmetic. These skills form the basis for successful learning at school. Those who fall behind here often struggle unsuccessfully with the consequences for years. We must not leave any child behind during this important phase. To achieve this goal, everyone at the 100 Percent Schools is working together locally: schools, authorities, and local governments," says Dr. Dagmar Wolf, Head of Education at Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH.