France Implements Major Education Policy Changes for 2025-2026 School Year

The French 2025-2026 school year starting September 1 includes reforms to French and mathematics teaching, stricter mobile phone bans in all collèges, and new physical aptitude tests for sixth-grade students. These steps arrive after the publication of 2026 examination results that recorded an 81.6 percent pass rate for the brevet, down 3.9 points from the prior calculation method, alongside a 91.4 percent pass rate for the baccalauréat.

Assessment Changes and Their Origins

The drop in the brevet pass rate stems directly from the new grading calculation method applied in 2026. Earlier years had used different weighting that produced higher overall success figures. The baccalauréat result remained above 90 percent, indicating continuity in that qualification's outcomes even as the brevet system was revised.

Policy Priorities Set in the 2025 Circular

France's 2025 back-to-school circular prioritizes AI training for pupils and teachers, expanded sexual education through the EVARS programme, and dedicated mental health protocols in every school. These elements sit alongside the September 1 start date for the coming year and the stricter phone rules in collèges. The measures reflect incremental layering of new requirements onto existing school operations.

Budget and Staffing Context

France's 2026 budget includes over 3,000 teacher position cuts for the fall 2026 rentrée, with distribution plans currently being finalized across academies. This reduction occurs at the same time as the curriculum and conduct updates take effect, shaping the resources available for the new physical tests, AI instruction and mental health protocols.

Distribution of the position reductions remains under discussion within the academy system. Schools will implement the September 1 changes within the staffing framework that emerges from those decisions.