Tools and methods for testing and assessment of pupils in primary and lower secondary school aim to make it easier to cultivate a teaching that supports the development and education of each individual pupil.
The purpose of the Danish primary and lower secondary school is to support a professional and versatile development of every pupil. Thus, thorough knowledge of the pupils’ strengths and weaknesses is essential to be able to support and stimulate them, making sure they make the most of their education.
In primary and lower secondary schools in Denmark, a wide selection of tools and evaluation methods contribute to a strong culture of evaluation. The tools help to detect individual pupils with challenges and provide support and development early on.
A selection of tests and evaluation and assessment tools are mandatory in primary and lower secondary school. The purpose is to help schools identify and meet pupils’ needs and challenges. The mandatory tests and tools are:
• National testing
• Screening for reading difficulties in pupils in 1st grade
• Risk-testing for dyslexia for pupils in 1st grade at the latest
• Language assessment in kindergarten
• Screening for high-ability pupils in the 1st grade
• "Meddelelsesbog" – a mandatory dialogue-tool for messages between the school, parents and pupils
• Dialogue on progress between schools and municipalities
In addition to the above, schools in Denmark use a number of local tools and tests as part of an ongoing evaluation and development of education in primary and lower secondary schools.
Read more about the mandatory test and evaluation tools currently used in Danish primary and lower secondary schools.
National testing in primary and lower secondary school comes into effect from 2026/27. The tests will be carried out in:
The purpose of the tests is to give teachers and parents an insight into the individual pupils’ academic skills, in the specific areas of literacy and mathematics, covered by the tests.
Schools are obliged to test pupils in kindergarten or 1st grade if they show signs of reading difficulties. Pupils with parents who are dyslexic will be part of the tested group.
If parents find their child to have reading difficulties, they have the right to have their children tested with the dyslexia risk-test, in 1st grade at the latest. The responsibility to ensure that an effort is initiated to meet pupils’ needs, based on the tests for dyslexia, lies with the school.
"Meddelelsesbogen" (the Message Book) is a dialogue-tool for messages between the school, parents and pupils. It is mandatory in primary and lower secondary school. The purpose is to support the dialogue between pupil, parents and the school, focusing on the pupils’ individual and professional development.
The tool consists of focal points the educational staff deem to be essential to support the pupil’s development. These points must be based on the knowledge of the educational staff and current observations of the pupil.
There are few formal requirements for the dialogue-tool. Schools are free to develop relevant formats. An example of a formal requirement is that it must be in writing, but it is not a requirement that it be prepared digitally.
A dialogue between school and municipality on the school’s challenges and development is important in order to create a good framework for the professional development and well-being of the pupils.
Annual dialogue between schools and municipalities must be carried out in primary and lower secondary school. Results from mandatory reading and mathematics tests, as well as other relevant information, are incorporated into the school development dialogue. The school must provide a description of the outcomes of the school development dialogue, which is to be published in a memo on the school’s website.
