Dr Lofthouse (asker) Apr 27, 2012:

thanks for all the useful pointers. It is part of a claim for damages due to a brain injury, so was rather important to get it right. client agrees there is no direct translation in the uk,and has passed on your comments to the insurer

freekfluweel Apr 18, 2012:

read: all compared to the US age = psychological age. Teacher may advise havo although student has top Cito-score. It's not that the student actually has to take an EQ-test, but his EQ-level is being taken into consideration as well.

You're right it's a recommendation and it's non-binding. A lot of it depends indeed on the results of the Cito-test (I should know as we all went back so I could do my Cito-toets)

I was merely trying to emphasize the unique Ed. System we have in the NL and not only the marks are deciders (loper-bossiaans). (My brother and I were 2 years ahead with Math). So to compare/translate "havo/vwo advies" is pretty hard to do.

Although all schools should provide the same level of Ed., one can be advised to go to a particular school: "maybe you should try vwo at the GSG (Gemeentelijke Scholengemeenschap) or you can try havo at a "Private" School.

Lianne van de Ven Apr 16, 2012:

The Havo/VWO-advies is never based on age/IQ/EQ. It's a recommendation based on past performances, more particularly in elementary school, and the CITO-toets:
http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cito_Eindtoets_Basisonderwijs

freekfluweel Apr 16, 2012:

almost impossible to translate/compare First of all: US/UK educational system is completely different from the NL-system. Period!!!

Second of all there's a great distinction between havo and vwo. Not only academically (1 year difference) but also in social aptitude. Havo-kids are tended to be more outgoing and less academically orientated. Within vwo there's also a distinction between Gymansium (Latin School) and Atheneum, of which the latter the students are a bit more sociable.

Also it matters whether you go to a Public School or a "Private" School (also applies in the US). At my Lyceum the School Exams were more difficult than the State Exams.

A havo/vwo advice can therefore only be compared to the US/UK system when you know the student's age, IQ and EQ! (In the US, with learning the multiplication tables; they are 2 years behind compared to the NL-system)

I personally resent the fact that nowadays the Dutch Educational System has adopted the Anglo-Saxon way of grading in post-grammar Education (Bachelor's and Master's Degree). Yet, your question is a glimmer of hope to turn things around again. ;-)))

Bryan Crumpler Apr 16, 2012:

Yes yes yes... What Lianne said.

Lianne van de Ven Apr 16, 2012:

localized/purpose of the translation For the US she would be recommended for/advised to take regular or advanced classes, and this applies to (public) middle and high schools. Groep 8 would be 7th grade in middle school, I think. If you want to do top level (somewhat comparable to VWO), it would be honors classes. Thing is: everyone goes to the same schools here, and they divide up classes by ability/performance in subjects. So you can do regular for math and honors for English, or vice versa etc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honors_course
And general info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_school#United_States