Germany’s early tracking system is deciding kids' futures too early

From high-stakes teacher recommendations to near-impossible entrance tests, Germany’s education system asks children to prove their potential too early—and rewards privilege in the process.

Dear Reader,

I don’t remember much about being 10 years old in California. But three things stand out: drawing a giant hopscotch court in chalk at school recess, building a wobbly cardboard replica of Mission San Francisco, and bringing home report cards full of mediocre marks.

My parents shrugged off the latter. It didn’t matter yet, they said — there wo…