Many federal states are currently reforming the curriculum and the organization of the upper Gymnasium level (the final years in upper secondary education leading to a higher education entrance qualification). In general, these changes aim towards a stronger emphasis on general education and a restriction of the differentiation (consolidation) in the Leistungskurs-Grundkurs-System during the last two years in the Gymnasiale Oberstufe. The survey on the reform of the Leistungskurs-Grundkurs-System within the National Educational Panel Study is conducted for the graduating classes of 2010 (last year group which is not affected by the reform) and 2011 (first reformed year group) in Thuringia. 

The organizational reform study of the upper Gymnasium level in Thuringia was conducted at 32 upper secondary level schools. All Grade 12 students at the selected schools were tested and questioned only once (provided that consent was given). Therefore, this is not a panel survey.

To record possible effects of the reform, achievement tests (Fachleistungstests) in the fields of mathematics, physics, biology, and English, questions about the students’ social background, a test on cognitive abilities, and questionnaires to assess the effects of the reform were applied. In addition, the parents and subject teachers of the 12th graders were integrated into the survey.