Spain has undergone a process of decentralisation as a result of which the 17 Autonomous Communities are responsible for education, under the coordination of the Ministry of Education at state/national level. The following description gives a general outline, but there are likely to be regional and institutional differences.
NOTE: The reforms introduced by the Basic Law of 1990 (LOGSE) were phased in during the period 1991-2002. This Archive describes post-LOGSE provision for all phases. Some details of pre-LOGSE secondary provision are described in Appendix 1 of the mainstream Spain Archive.
LOGSE Reforms - Timetable
| Academic Year | Reform of: |
| 1991/92 |
Infant education |
| 1992/93 |
Year 1 and Year 2 of primary education, students aged 6-8 |
| 1993/94 |
Year 3 and Year 4 of primary education, students aged 8-10 |
| 1994/95 |
Year 5 of primary education, students aged 10-11 |
| 1995/96 |
Year 6 of primary education, students aged 11-12 |
| 1996/97 |
Year 1 of ESO (compulsory secondary), students aged 12-13 |
| 1997/98 |
Year 2 of ESO (compulsory secondary), students aged 13-14 |
| 1998/99 |
Year 3 of ESO (compulsory secondary, students aged 14-15) |
| 1999/2000 |
Year 4 of ESO, (students aged 15-16) |
| 2000/2001 |
Year 1 of bachillerato (post-compulsory secondary, students aged 16-17) and of intermediate level specific vocational training |
| 2001/2002 |
Year 2 of bachillerato (students aged 17-18) and of intermediate level specific vocational training |
The term 'student' is used for registered pupils or students throughout all educational phases.
READERS SHOULD NOTE THAT THE TERMS USED TO DESCRIBE SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AND PROVISION IN THE COUNTRY CONCERNED ARE SPECIFIC TO THAT INDIVIDUAL COUNTRY.
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