PIRLS 2006 Encyclopedia

didactic courses on reading education, but no specific qualification is required to becomea professional teacher. In schools that use modular teaching (three teachers for twoclasses), one teacher is responsible for humanities.There are two different types of teacher contracts: permanent and temporary.Teachers can be recruited through a state examination that includes an assessment ofqualifications or on the basis of professional qualifications only. National examinationsof the first type for preprimary and primary schools can be taken by teachers who havea university degree in primary education, and for secondary schools, by teachers whohave a specific degree in the subject they want to teach. Since the degree in primaryeducation recently has been established, prior legislation that qualified anyone with adiploma for teacher training schools for preprimary and primary education still applies inthis transitional phase. Candidates who pass the state examination do not automaticallyreceive a permanent teaching post, but are put on a permanent roster. To be includedon this roster, one must pass the state examination with the necessary qualificationsand have previous teaching experience with a temporary contract. After acquiring apermanent teacher contract, teachers must complete a 1-year trial period during whichthey must attend training courses in addition to everyday teaching activities.Teacher In-service EducationIn-service education is considered a right and duty for each teacher, but is not compulsory.In-service education courses are organized by institutions or organizations such asuniversities, teacher unions, or directly by schools on a local basis, either individuallyor online. Teachers can receive a maximum of 5 days leave without pay per year grantedby the school headmaster for in-service education. No precise guidelines for in-serviceeducation have been established by the central administration. The courses offered arequite diverse, although a great number of them concern management, innovations, andspecial education needs. Recently, most courses focus on information communicationstechnology as part of the national project to update and improve teachers’ skills in thisfield. 16 At present, in-service education methodology is still based on lecture classesfollowed by workshops.Examinations and AssessmentsNational or Regional ExaminationsThe National State Examination for secondary school consists of three written examinationsin Italian, a subject specific to the type of school attended, and a multidisciplinaryexamination. The first two examinations are prepared by the Ministry of Education.The third examination is prepared by each school’s examination board. In addition, amultidisciplinary oral examination is mandatory. Successful candidates are issued asecondary school diploma that permits enrollment to all university faculties. Secondaryschools provide a certification in compliance with European Union standards.PIRLS 2006 EncyclopediaItalyTIMSS & PIRLSInternational Study CenterLynch School of Education, Boston College 219