LEMOIZ SCHOOL 2007- 2008 SCHOOLYEAR 1 EDUCATION SYSTEM IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY SPAIN

LEMOIZ SCHOOL 2007- 2008 SCHOOLYEAR 2 POLITICAL ARRANGEMENT IN SPAIN - The kingdom of Spain is constituted by 17 different autonomous communities. Each community rules its own territory. - Spanish Central Government keeps some crucial issues for the whole nation such as Foreign Matters, Defence and several rules of major interest. - Other competences such Social, Educational and Health policies are run by every community government.

LEMOIZ SCHOOL 2007- 2008 SCHOOLYEAR 3 SPANISH EDUCATION SYSTEM

LEMOIZ SCHOOL 2007- 2008 SCHOOLYEAR 4 NURSERY/ PRE- SCHOOL LEVELS It’s divided in two cycles: NURSERY ( 1st cycle) From 0 to 3 years. Private in most Spain. In our community it is partially covered by the Government that has opened, along with some municipalities, several new 0-2 public schools. (Haurreskolak) Basque public system offers place for 2 year old children in most public schools. INFANT (2nd cycle) From 3 to 6 years. Not compulsory, but covered in a 100% in the public system that offers free place in every school.

LEMOIZ SCHOOL 2007- 2008 SCHOOLYEAR 5 COMPULSORY EDUCATION PRIMARY From 6 to 12 years. Divided in three two- year cycles. Comprehensive approach. Formative evaluation. Main goals to be achieved by the end of the second year. SECONDARY From 12 to 16 years. Divided in two two- year cycles. First regulated under a comprehensive approach, now changed to a qualifying system with exams.

LEMOIZ SCHOOL 2007- 2008 SCHOOLYEAR 6 POST-COMPULSORY SECONDARY EDUCATION BACHILLERATO: Two years before University. Only for those students who qualify at the end of Compulsory Secondary Education. Four different paths. National Exam for all the students who qualify at the end, to gain the access to University studies. PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION: Technical or Professional studies divided in two cycles to achieve low or high –level degree in a certain work.

LEMOIZ SCHOOL 2007- 2008 SCHOOLYEAR 7 Education in the Basque Country: some particular features Bilingual Community: Spanish majority language: 100% Basque Language (Euskera): 40% but not well balanced. Third language (English) from kindergarten. Fourth Language (French) optional from Compulsory Secondary Education. Optional Subjects in English in Bachillerato. Parents choose the language the want their children to be taught among three models:

LEMOIZ SCHOOL 2007- 2008 SCHOOLYEAR 8 LINGUISTIC MODELS IN COMPULSORY EDUCATION (to be changed from 2007-2008 school year) New curriculum (2007) states Basque Language (minority language) as instruction- medium language, but gives each school some freedom to design their own language policy: MAIN GOAL FOR LANGUAGES AT COMPULSORY EDUCATION AT THE END (age 16) STUDENTS SHOULD ACHIEVE B2 LEVEL OF THE EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK BOTH IN SPANISH AND IN BASQUE AND B1 LEVEL IN ENGLISH Current research (www.isei-ivei.) states that Spanish –speaking children who attend D model schools score perform better in both languages.

LEMOIZ SCHOOL 2007- 2008 SCHOOLYEAR 9 School Network Public Resources Centres For Teachers (Berritzeguneak) -           - Educational resources. Support for schools. -  Interdisciplinary teams to help children with special needs. -  Training courses for teachers. -  Periodical seminars for teachers.