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= Education in Italy =

After reading this chapter, the learners will

 * learn about the laws that shaped the present image of Italian Education System from historical perspective
 * understand how Education system in Italy works
 * have the understanding about grading system
 * know about different kind of examinations

The Laws that shaped Education in Italy. Historical background
Italy is situated on the Apennine Peninsula in southern Europe. It has over 3000 years of history. However, education has become compulsory since 1859, when the Legge Casati (Casati Act) mandated the duties for the future Unified Italian state's educational system (1861). The Casati Act, which made elementary school compulsory and sought to increase literacy rates, succeeded in its goal. The provinces were given jurisdiction over secondary education under this law, while the State was given power over universities. Primary education was entrusted to the separate municipalities to manage. It took more than 50 years for the illiteracy rate—which was close to 80% in 186—to be cut in half. This is despite the Casati Act and mandatory education, as many children were not sent to school in rural (and southern) areas (the percentage of children enrolled in primary education would reach 90% only after 70 years).

The Legge Gentile was the following significant law pertaining to the Italian educational system. This law was passed in 1923, the year Benito Mussolini and the National Fascist Party came to power. Giovanni Gentile was assigned to create an educational system suitable for the fascist government. This law dictated the following: after the first five years of primary school, one could choose the "Scuola media," which would provide access to the "liceo" and other secondary education, or the "avviamento al lavoro," which was designed to provide a quick entry into the lower strata of the workforce. The mandatory school age was raised to 14 years old. The reform established the Technical, Commercial and Industrial institutes, the Liceo Scientifico, and enhanced the role of the Liceo Classico, which was established by the Casati Act in 1859 and was intended to be the pinnacle of secondary education during the Fascist era in order to form the future upper classes. After the "avviamento al lavoro" was abolished in 1962, all pupils up to the age of 14 were required to enroll in a single program that included both elementary school (scuola elementare) and middle school (scuola media).

With the exception of the following, the primary (and secondary) educational system in Italy has largely remained the same since 1962, despite some changes being made: a decrease in the gender gap (by combining the two separate technical education programs and the optional introduction of mixed-gender gym classes); a modification to the secondary school system (legge Berlinguer); and the introduction of new licei, "istituti tecnici" and "istituti".

According to the criteria defined by the Bologna Process, the Italian university system changed to the new system (vecchio ordinamento, which resulted to the contemporary 5-year Laurea degree) in 1999. (nuovo ordinamento). The former Laurea was split into two tracks by the new ordinamento: a three-year degree known as the Laurea triennale and a two-year degree known as the Laurea specialistica, which was eventually renamed Laurea Magistrale in 2007.

Education system in Italy


In Italy, students must attend school for ten years, or from the age of six to sixteen. All children in this age group are required to enroll in and attend a recognized school. The final two years of a student's secondary education can be spent in either a state-run upper secondary school or a three-year vocational education and training program (from 14 to 16 years of age).

Pre-school Education
For children aged three to six, kindergarten is the first year of formal education. In Italy, every preschool includes some Reggio Emilia and Montessori elements. Italian preschools are play-based, encouraging verbal connection and discussion while allowing children to learn by doing. Social and emotional growth are prioritized in order to foster the development of the whole kid.

Primary Education
Children aged 6 to 11 attend primary schools (scuola primaria), after which the majority transfer to secondary schools for students aged 11 to 14. Those who are interested in music attend conservatories directly. Primary schools last five years. With the exception of special schools for the blind or the deaf, the educational curriculum is the same for all students up until middle school. Students receive a fundamental education in Italian, English, mathematics, the natural sciences, history, geography, social studies, and physical education, regardless of whether they attend a private or state-funded school. Along with music and the creative and performing arts, several schools also offer Spanish or French classes. Up until 2004, enrolling in middle school required passing an exam that comprised completing a brief Italian essay, passing a written arithmetic test, and passing an oral exam on all other subjects (scuola secondaria di primo grado). Since the test is no longer required, pupils can now start middle school right away.

Secondary Education
Secondary education lasts 8 years and is divided into 2 stages: Lower secondary education (scuola secondaria di primo grado) and Upper secondary education (scuola secondaria di di secondo grado). Lower secondary education lasts three years (roughly from age 11 to 14), and Upper secondary education lasts five years (roughly from age 14 to 19). Each stage has a final test at the end of the year that must be passed in order to graduate and get admission to graduate school. In both Lower secondary school and Upper secondary school, students spend the majority of their time in the classroom, with the exception of some classes like physical education, which are commonly held in the gym. As a result, teachers spend the majority of the day moving from classroom to classroom. Classes start at 8 in the morning and finish at 1 in the afternoon. Normally, there are no breaks in between classes, although most institutions do provide a 15 to 30 minute break in the middle. If students are compelled to stay in class through lunch, there is a longer break so they can eat and rest. There must be at least 30 hours of instruction per week in Lower secondary school. A diploma di licenza media is given to students who pass the written and oral exams at the end of the third year. The third year of upper secondary school, or scuola superio, is elective; the second two years are mandatory. During the second term, students can choose to enroll in either a liceo or an instituto, or vocational school.

Vocational Education and Lyceum
Further vocational education comprises certified practical training in a variety of skills, as required by the European Union. Because of the ease with which this comprehensive approach facilitates cross-country training and experience, Italian experts and craftsmen are in high demand all over the world. The Vocational Education and Training (VET) system is divided into three-year courses providing a professional operator certificate (Attestato di Qualifica di Operatore Professionale) and four-year programs leading to a professional technician diploma (Diploma Professionale di Tecnico). Students receive wide supervision and become more aware of a variety of professional specialties during the first two years of VET. In their third and fourth years, students must undergo practical training in the disciplines they have selected. The Liceo Classico or Ginnasio is the oldest style of public secondary school in Italy (literally classical lyceum). The school's five-year educational program is attended by pupils between the ages of 14 and 19. Although a liceo classico school offers a wide variety of classes, the emphasis is on courses that relate to literature. Additionally, some hours are spent studying history and philosophy. The three distinct subjects that make up the liceo classico are history, Latin, and Ancient Greek. In a few other language-focused schools, such the Italian liceo scientifico and liceo delle scienze umane, Latin is also taught. The liceo classico is the sole institution that teaches ancient Greek, though.

Higher Education
Italy is one of the most famous in hosting the oldest Universities in the world. Notably, the Institution of Bologna was established in 1088 and is the world's oldest university. University of Padua and University of Naples Federico II, both founded in 1222, are the oldest institutions in Europe. The Italian higher education system is a binary system, with the University sector and the Higher Education for Fine Arts, Music, and Dance sector—commonly abbreviated as the AFAM sector—divided into two distinct institutional and functional sectors. Generally, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral programs are offered as part of higher education in Italy by universities, technical universities, institutes, academies, and a range of professional training organizations related to business, e-technologies, fashion, etc. The majority of the organizations and universities that are still in operation were founded by the government. Degree programs are structured using credits (crediti formativi universitari-CFU at universities and crediti formativi accademici-CFA at AFAM institutions). The three cycles that make up the Italian university system each include a set of academic standards that students must meet in order to advance in their studies, apply for employment through public recruiting processes, and begin working in various professions. University degrees confer a number of academic titles on the holder. A degree confers the academic title "Dottore," a master's degree confers the academic title "Dottore Magistrale in," and a research doctorate confers the titles "Dottore di ricerca" or "PhD." Universities in Italy have the option to create collaborative programs with both domestic and international partners, leading to the awarding of joint degrees or double/multiple degrees upon successful completion.

Grading system and Examination
The Italian grading system has a passing grade of 18, and students are evaluated on a scale from 0 to 30. An additional special designation known as a cum laude may be given to the highest grade (30 e lode).18 is the required passing score. Everyone in grades 18 through 30 is employed. The European Credit Transfer System is used to determine the amount of work each course requires of the students. Credits represent the effort put out in individual study, homework, lab work, and class attendance. Participation in various training programs, group projects, theses, internships, language proficiency, computer literacy, and training in public relations and communication can all result in credit. A typical study course would require roughly 60 credits per year, or 25 hours of labor each credit, in terms of workload. A specific amount of credits for each course are awarded to students who pass the final exam.

Exams in Italy are hold written and orally. At the end of the Lower secondary school, students take exams which include four tests: Prima Prova (up to 15 points), an Italian language written test, Seconda Prova (up to 15 points), a test for scientific subjects, Terza Prova (up to 15 points), a test for foreign language, Colloquio Orale (up to 10 points), oral examination. The Matura exam is administered in a number of countries as a condition for high school graduation. High school graduates who wish to enroll in colleges or other higher education institutions must pass this exam.

Conclusion
In conclusion, Italian Education is complex and centered on educating everyone as all the stages are compulsory (except pre-school and higher education). Students are required to acquire certain knowledge and skills that can be necessary for their future. Overall, Italian government is creating great opportunities for Italians as well as foreigners as it hosts very famous, old and highly ranked Italian universities.