INCA Education around the world
Spain : Internal school organisation
- 4.4. Fourth phase: Post-reform post-compulsory upper secondary, age 16 - 18
- 4.4.1 Organisation of teaching groups
- 4.4.2 Student progression through the phase
- 4.4.3 Class size
- 4.4.4 Teacher specialisation
4.4. Fourth phase: Post-reform post-compulsory upper secondary, age 16 - 18
[see 3.2.4]4.4.1 Organisation of teaching groups
Bachillerato
Students are grouped into classes by age and in accordance with the bachillerato course they have chosen. There are four bachillerato option streams (modalidades) (although schools only have to offer two). The four streams are:
- arts;
- natural science and health;
- humanities and social studies; and
- technology.29
Specific vocational training
Students are grouped into classes by age and according to the training cycle chosen.29
4.4.2 Student progression through the phase
Bachillerato
The bachillerato is normally a two year course, which is not divided into cycles.29
Students who fail more than two subjects in the first year of the course, or more than three subjects in the second year, must repeat the year. Students who fail up to three subjects only repeat the subjects in which they have failed. Students may not remain on a bachillerato course longer than four years. All those teaching a student participate in the promotion decision.29
Specific vocational training
Students on two-year specific vocational training courses who, at the end of the first year, have completed at least 75 per cent of the total class time for all modules for that year progress to the second year, but must take any remedial measures required. Those who have completed less than 75 per cent must repeat the vocational modules they have not yet completed/passed. Students may repeat a given vocational module up to three times, and they may take the final examination for any given module (whether at ordinary or extraordinary examination sessions) a total of four times. All those teaching a student participate in the promotion decision.29
4.4.3 Class size
Bachillerato
The maximum number of students for each class in establishments providing bachillerato courses is 35.16,5 (Previous legislation9 , allowed up to 50 students in bachillerato classes.)23
Specific vocational training
Facilities and premises providing specific vocational training courses vary according to the training cycles offered. The maximum number of students per teacher is 30.16
4.4.4 Teacher specialisation
Teachers of bachillerato and specific vocational training courses are specialists in one subject and normally teach this subject.29 Secondary school teachers must have a degree gained after four to six years' study, plus a teaching certificate gained after following a course which lasts, on average, around 300 hours.25
Counselling is part of educational provision throughout the bachillerato course. Each group of students has a class teacher who coordinates their assessment and their personal guidance, with the support, as appropriate, of the school's Counselling Department. Educational and vocational guidance aims to ensure that, at the end of the bachillerato course, students are mature enough to make academic and career choices consistent with their skills and interests.29
Teaching methods
Bachillerato teaching methods foster students' ability to learn individually, work in a team and apply appropriate methods of research, and emphasise the relationship between the theoretical aspects of subjects and their practical application. Specific vocational training teaching methods encourage students to form a global and coordinated view of the productive processes in which they will participate, by integrating the relevant scientific, technological and organisational subject matter.16
