French Community Sets 2026-2027 Test CLÉ Rules for Primary Education (Belgium, June 2026)
The Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles set the operating rules for the Test CLÉ in ordinary and specialised primary education for the 2026-2027 school year. The diagnostic assessment applies at the start of fourth primary and replaces the previous non-certifying external assessment model.
Source: Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles - Test CLÉ official information
The Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles set the operating rules for the Test CLÉ in ordinary and specialised primary education for the 2026-2027 school year. The diagnostic assessment applies at the start of fourth primary and replaces the previous non-certifying external assessment model.
What Changed?
Primary schools must move to the Test CLÉ, focused on calculation, reading and writing, as the common diagnostic assessment at the start of fourth primary. The official guidance separates ordinary primary and specialised primary arrangements while keeping the same policy purpose: identifying learning needs early enough for schools to plan support.
Old System vs New System
Primary schools used previous non-certifying external evaluations organised under the earlier assessment approach. Those evaluations did not place the same single diagnostic focus on fourth primary across the system.
From the 2026-2027 school year, schools use the Test CLÉ as the reference diagnostic assessment in fourth primary. The test is not a certification exam and does not create a pass-or-fail result; it is used to guide learning support and school-level follow-up.
Who Is Affected?
Student Impact
Pupils in fourth primary will take a diagnostic test intended to identify needs in calculation, reading and writing rather than to decide certification.
Parent / Family Impact
Parents can expect the assessment to be used as a support tool, with schools using the results to identify areas where pupils may need help.
School / Institution Impact
Schools must organise the assessment according to the official 2026-2027 rules and use the results to inform support measures.
Teacher / Staff Impact
Teachers will need to interpret the diagnostic results and connect them to classroom support and pupil follow-up.
Key Dates
- 2026-06-18: official circulars issued
- 2026-09-01: 2026-2027 school year implementation begins.
What To Do
- Schools should review the Test CLÉ circulars
- plan internal organisation for fourth primary classes and prepare how results will be used for support.
What To Watch Next
Further operational materials, reporting tools and school-level support guidance may follow during the 2026-2027 school year.
Global Context
The change is relevant for comparison researchers because it shows the French Community moving from broad external non-certifying assessments toward an earlier diagnostic model in primary education.
Source Record
Source type: Official guidance
Source name: Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles - Test CLÉ official information