Brief description of the Italian Education System

Eurydice Source Source: MPI, the State School; data summary school year 2005/2006, pp. IX-XXI.

PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION

although not compulsory, has been the first stage of the education system since 1991. Children can be enrolled by nursery schools around the age of 3 and a high percentage of them attends at least one year before going to primary school. The 59 Legislative Decree of February, 19th 2004 provides a reform and National Guidelines for the personalized plans of educational activities in nursery schools.

Based on the new organization, the first cycle of education, which range over a space of 8 years, consists of a primary school and the first cycle of secondary school, which are the first segment the right-duty to education and training is implemented in. School attendance is compulsory from the age of 6 to 16.

PRIMARY EDUCATION

It lasts five (5) years and was completely reformed by the 59 Legislative Decree of February, 19th 2004. Children can be enrolled on the first year of primary School around the age of 6 and can be admitted to secondary education level on the basis of a positive assessment at the end of the fifth year. The reform has in fact done away with the old final examination (licenza elementare ).

LOWER LEVEL SECONDARY EDUCATION

It lasts a total of three (3) years. To gain access to upper secondary schools, pupils are supposed to pass a final exam and get the leaving secondary education level I certificate. In 2007, for the first time, there was a math and Italian language national test, organized by the National Exam Board INVALSI, for all the students taking place in the whole country at the same time.

UPPER SECONDARY EDUCATION

for students aged between 14 and 19. At the present the upper secondary is divided into many branches: o o o

senior high school

specialicing in: classical studies, science education, modern languages, didactics and education, technical education, artistic education;

technical high school vocational school

labour market.

specialicing in: electronic, electrotechnic, mechanic, building surveyor.

specialicing in theoretical and practical preparation either for skilled tasks or for manual work and artistic production in various sectors, with particular attention to the requirements of the local

Compulsary schooling

Since the school year 2007/08 the first two years of upper secondary school have become compulsory. Students are given also the possibility of fulfilling the obligation through the three year experimental vocational training and instruction courses that are organized by the Regions. (

compulsory schooling

).

HIGHER EDUCATION

The higher education system is divided into State and non-State establishments. A distinction is also drawn between university and non-university higher education. According to the Bologna process the Italian University system consists of three cycles (bachelor/master/doctorate). The non-university higher education consists of higher-level artistic and musical training, and other courses offered by non-university higher education establishments.

Next school year is foreseen a Reform of Italian Educational system, to better face the new requirements of the more and more developing society we live in.