Educational Support in the Warendorf District

To increase participation in the services offered under the Education and Participation Package, many municipalities in North Rhine-Westphalia have already implemented solutions. The common goal is to break down barriers to participation in order to promote and support, in particular, children and adolescents from low-income families.

The project “BuT Model Learning Center” in the Warendorf district leverages the opportunities offered by the Education and Participation Package in the area of learning support through a comprehensive municipal strategy in which various stakeholders collaborate. As a result, the project has succeeded in measurably reducing the proportion of young people without a high school diploma.

The district integrates learning support (tutoring) “with the school, in the school.” This means that the school determines the content of the learning support and sets the framework. Consultation among the various stakeholders enables individualized learning support.

To this end, learning mentors from the community (such as older students, college students, retired teachers, and after-school program staff) are trained through the adult education center (VHS). They work at the school. They work continuously with the children and maintain regular communication with the teachers.

Teachers tailor the support to the children’s individual needs and the relevant curriculum. Support and guidance are thus provided in a targeted manner rather than as a one-size-fits-all approach.

A learning disability is initially identified by the school administration or the teacher. Those eligible for benefits then submit an application for learning support to the Jobcenter (school social workers provide assistance as needed). The Jobcenter decides on the application and settles accounts with the learning support providers on a monthly basis.

Learning support takes place at the school. The school is responsible for organizational matters (e.g., scheduling rooms).

About half of the district’s approximately 100 schools are now participating in the program. The program is scientifically monitored, and its effects have been proven:

Based on the SGB II rate of 49.2%, one would expect 6.43% of school leavers in the Warendorf district to leave without a secondary school diploma. The 10.8% uptake of learning support statistically adjusts this expectation to 5.59%. The actual figure in the Warendorf district—4.19% of school leavers without a Hauptschule diploma—is significantly lower.

The district’s exceptionally strong performance can be attributed to the unique way in which learning support is implemented.