EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN SPAIN

Señor Mascari

Educational Goals & Traditions Goals of education in Spain, Latin

America, and the U.S. are the SAME. Educators want to foster good citizens.

Traditions of education in Spain, Latin America, and the U.S. are DIFFERENT. Based on cultural values, needs of country,

etc.

What are the differences?

Tracking: Secondary education in Spain specifically gears students to individual interests and abilities – either to a university, technical school, or work force.

Students take concentrated courses in these areas, not just general courses.

In Spain there are 6 levels of education. Families are usually expected to pay for

books, transportation, lunch services, extracurricular activities, etc.

Educación Infantil

0-3 years: Escuela Infantil Not free Similar to daycare Not required

3-6 years: Escuela Infantil Start of free education Primary school Not required

Educación Primaria

6-12 years: Escuela Primaria Free Government required 3 cycles of 2 years each Objective is to give students a common,

basic education in culture, oral expression, writing, and arithmetic.

Other personalized classes are social studies, art, physical education, math, Spanish language, and a foreign language (i.e. English).

Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (E.S.O.)

12-16 years: Escuela Secundaria Free Government required (ends here) 2 cycles of 2 years each Objective is to build on concepts learned in

earlier years – more specialized classes are offered to prepare students for the next level of education.

Next Step: Bachillerato (high school), vocational/technical training, or work force.

Bachillerato

16-18 years: High School Free Not required, but needed to enter a

university 1 cycle of 2 years Required classes: Castillian (Spanish)

language and literature, foreign langauge, philosophy, physical education, science, history of Spain.

Students have the option of studying common classes, specialized classes, or concentration in a certain discipline (i.e. English language).

Bachillerato (cont.)

Specialization Choose 1 of 4 concentrations Take 3-4 classes per year in area Example concentration: science/technology

Required courses: math, biology, physics, chemistry, geology, technical drawing

Electives Second foreign language, dance, art,

information technology, theater, music

La Universidad

University/College Normally 4 years Some programs 6 years (i.e. medicine) Reasonable costs, government contributes Bachelors: 4 years Masters: 2 years post-Bachelors education Doctorate: post-Masters education

Formación Profesional de Grado Medio

Completed after secondary education Type of vocational school Student will earn Técnico Auxiliar degree Various areas: nursing, automotive

engineering, beautician, electrician, etc.

Formación Profesional del Grado Superior

Completed after Bachillerato Allows student entrance into Escuelas

Técnicas Universitarias Allows student to earn Técnico Superior

degree Various areas: dietician, foreign trade,

computing, etc.