The goal of Knowledge Promotion is to help all pupils to develop fundamental skills that will enable them to participate actively in our society of knowledge. The Norwegian school system is inclusive; there must be room for all. Everyone is to be given the same opportunities to develop their abilities. The Knowledge Promotion, with its special emphasis on learning, is meant to help ensure that all pupils receive a differentiated education.

The reform takes effect in autumn 2006 for pupils in grades 1-9 in 10-year compulsory school and for pupils in their first year of upper secondary education and training (i.e. the 11th grade).

The following are the most important changes in the Norwegian school system that stem from the Knowledge Promotion:

• Basic skills are to be strengthened
• Reading and writing are emphasized from the first grade
• New subject syllabuses in all subjects, clearly indicating what pupils and apprentices are expected to learn
• New distributions of teaching hours per subject
• New structure of available choices within education programmes
• Freedom at the local level with respect to work methods, teaching materials and the organization of classroom instruction