The Italian school system

Italy and… Italy officially the Italian Republic, an EU member state situated in the south overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. It is also known as the par excellence of "boot" for the form and the "Beautiful Country" because of climate and natural and artistic beauty.

Constitution of the Italian Republic Basic principles include: the freedom of education and teaching the duty of the state to provide a school open to everyone with no discrimination of any type the rights and duties of parents to provide education for their children the education and vocational training of disabled and handicapped citizens

Ministry of Education, University and Research is responsible for school education (MIUR) It is represented at local level by regional and provincial education offices

The education system , lasting 10 years, from 6 to 16, includes: scuola dell'infanzia (non-compulsory) for children between 3 and 6 years of age ; Compulsory education The Constitution foresees compulsory schooling until 14 years of age; however, the recent financial law will provide for the extension of it to 16 years of age. Phases Primo ciclo dell’istruzione (first cycle of education) Scuola primaria (primary school) Age 6-11 Scuola secondaria di I grado (lower secondary school) Age 11- 14

Second cycle of education Post-compulsory education Admissions criteria Holders of the certificate of the first cycle of education may enter the second cycle of education Curriculum control and content Central government determines basic curricula for each branch of upper secondary education Core subjects common to all institutions are Italian, history, a modern foreign language, mathematics and physical education The final examination, at the end of upper secondary education, is the upper secondary school leaving examination

scuola secondaria di secondo grado (upper secondary school), made up of different kinds of schools and, generally, for students from 14 to 19 years of age (Access to both university and non-university higher education is reserved for students after passing the State exam at the end of upper secondary school) Vocational training courses are run by local authorities and can be attended by people who have reached 15 years of age.

Secondo ciclo dell’istruzione (second cycle of education Age 14-19) Families are free to choose the kind of school they want to send their children to Classical education Liceo artistico (artistic upper secondary school) Liceo classico (classical upper secondary school) Liceo scientifico (scientific upper secondary school) Liceo linguistico (linguistic upper secondary school) Liceo delle scienze umane (human science upper secondary school Professional education 2 AREAS – 6 study courses Technical education 2 AREAS – 11 study courses

Higher education There are two main types of higher education: university and non-university higher education the degree university sector is now based on two main cycles (a three-year Laurea, followed by a two-year Laurea specialistica corresponding to a 3+2 framework) higher technology education (IFTS)

Continuing education There are 2 types of training: Centri Territoriali Permanenti (Centers for permanent education) Evening classes at upper secondary schools

Special educational support In Italy, disabled students have been integrated in ordinary schools there is not a separate education system for these students specialist support and auxiliary help is provided.

Teachers each teacher has a second cycle degree (laurea specialistica) to teach at every school level Primary school teachers can teach all subjects (are generalist teachers), but are responsible for a specific subject area. Secondary school teachers are specialist teachers

There are: Permanent teachers Temporary teachers There is no in - service evaluation for permanent teachers However a new law of 2009 introduced a system of evaluation and awards to encourage excellence. We wait the implementing rules.

PRE-PRIMARY SCHOOL THE SCHOOL OPENS AT 8 AM AND CLOSES AT 4 PM, FOR 5 DAYS A WEEK; THERE ARE 3 CLASSES; IN EACH CLASS THERE ARE 2 TEACHERS; FOR H STUDENT, ALONG WITH A REGULAR TEACHER, A SPECIAL SUPPORT TEACHER IS PROVIDED .

PRIMARY SCHOOL THERE ARE 2 SCHEDULES: 27 HOURS A WEEK 40 HOURS A WEEK THE TEACHERS WORKS FOR 24 HOURS A WEEK AND, SOMETIMES, TEACH DIFFERENT SUBJECTS IN DIFFERENT CLASSES. THE SUBJECTS ARE: ITALIAN; ENGLISH; MATHS; SCIENCE; HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY AND CITIZENSHIP AND CONSTITUTION; MUSIC; SPORTS SCIENCE; ART AND PICTURE; TECHNOLOGY; CATHOLIC RELIGION (THIS SUBJECT ISN’T COMPULSORY)

LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOL 30 HOURS A WEEK, FOR 6 DAYS, FROM 8.30 AM UNTIL 13.30 THE SUBJECTS ARE: ITALIAN; ENGLISH; ANOTHER COMUNITY LANGUAGE (FRENCH AND SPANISH) MATHS; SCIENCE; HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY AND CITIZENSHIP AND CONSTITUTION; MUSIC; SPORTS SCIENCE; ART AND PICTURE; TECHNOLOGY; CATHOLIC RELIGION (THIS SUBJECT ISN’T COMPULSORY).

PROJECTS THERE ARE SEVERAL PROJECTS FOR TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND PARENTS. SOME PROJECTS HAVE NO COSTS, SOME HAVE DIFFERENT FUNDING: LAW 440/97 FOR TEACHER TRAINING “INSTITUTION FUNDING” OVERTIME PAY FOR THE WORKERS IN THE SCHOOLS OTHER COSTS ARE COVERED BY MINISTERIAL AND REGIONAL FINANCING IN THIS SCHOOL YEAR (2010.11) MY SCHOOL RECEIVED ABOUT € 58.000, TO IMPROVE STUDENT’S ABILITY

SERVICES OFFERED BY THE MUNICIPALITY SCHOOLBUS: FOR THE TRANSPORT OF THE STUDENTS; IT IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOL TRIPS MENSA (CANTEEN): THE SERVICE IS CONTRACTED BY A PRIVATE SOCIETY AND HAS RUNNED BY SCHOOL. THE PARENTS BUY A CHARGE FOR THE MEALS EVERY MONTH. PSYCHO-PEDAGOGICAL TEAM: SCHOOL AND FAMILY MIGHT ASK THIS TEAM FOR COUNSELING FOR HANDICAPS, FOREIGN STUDENTS OR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.