key questions about the lomce

Basic aspects of the LOMCE

Main changes by educational level

Other aspects adressed by the LOMCE

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Is the LOMCE a new Law of Education?

What are the general objectives of the

LOMCE?

No. The LOMCE is an amendment of the existing school

reform LOE (Organic Law of Education).

Adhering to the European Union guidelines regarding

education, the Europe 2020 Strategy and the need for

improvement in education in this country, the general

objectives are:

• To reduce the variety of requirements and demands of the

educational system throughout the country.

• To lower the drop-out rates in the compulsory educational

levels (pupils under the age of 16)

• To improve the rate of students achieving the level of

Compulsory Secondary Education.

• To improve students’ level of knowledge in basic subjects.

• To establish a clear system of indicators of progress

according to educational objectives,

• To increase the autonomy of schools.

• To generalise and spread the use of ICT for education.

• To promote and update vocational training studies.

• To improve the learning of foreign languages.

• To streamline the educational offer.

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Basic aspects of the LOMCEThe new structure

of the education system

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1st

1st

2nd

2nd

2nd

1st

1st

2nd

PRE-PRIMARY3 - 6 year olds

SECONDARY 1st CYCLE

1st, 2nd, 3rd year12 - 15 year olds

SECONDARY 2nd CYCLE

4th year15 - 16 year olds

BACHILLERATO

UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY****

PRIMARY6 - 12 year olds

1st

1st

1st

Evaluation

Final exam of academic Secondary

education

4th year ‘Academic’

Final Bachillerato exam***

Final exam of applied secondary education

4th year ‘Applied’

MIDDLE GRADE VOCATIONAL

STUDIES**

HIGHER GRADE VOCATIONAL

STUDIES

Access exam for Middle Grade Vocational Studies

Access exam for Higher Grade Vocational Studies

BASIC VOCATIONAL

STUDIES

6th

2nd

2nd

2nd

4th

Final exam

3rd

3rd *

3rd

5th

T1 - Vocational certificate

T2 - ESO Academic Graduate

Qualification

T3 - ESO Applied Graduate

Qualification

T4 - Technician certificate

T5 - Baccalaureate certificate

T6 - Higher Grade Technician

certificate

T7 - University Degree

QUALIFICATIONS

CO

MPU

LSO

RY E

DU

CA

TIO

NSE

CO

ND

ARY

/PO

ST-C

OM

PULS

ORY

ED

UC

ATI

ON

HIG

HER

EDU

CA

TIO

N

15 -17 years old

optional path

T3

T1

T4

T5

T6T7

T2

* Development of learning improvement programmes. ** Educational administrations can offer optional subjects to students at Lower Vocational to facilitate their transition to other studies. *** Students who have achieved a Middle or Higher Grade Technician certificate can also sit this exam. **** Each university can establish its own appropriate entrance exams.

When will it be implemented and in which

courses?

How does the LOMCE affect Key Competences?

The nomenclature and definition of Key Competences in the

LOMCE is based on a European Commission document on

21st century competences.

The LOMCE defines 7 competences:

• Linguistic competence

• Mathematical competence and basic competences

in science and technology

• Digital competence

• Learning to learn

• Social and civic competences

• Sense of initiative and entrepreneurship

• Cultural awareness and expression

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2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/2017 2017/2018

Primary 1st / 3rd / 5th 2nd / 4th / 6th

Secondary 1st / 3rd

2nd / 4thFinal evaluation in 2017 will have not academic

repercussions

First final evaluation

with academic weighting

Bachillerato 1st

2ndFinal evaluation in 2017 will have not academic

repercussions

First final evaluation

with academic weighting

Basic Vocational Studies 1st 2nd

Middle Grade Studies

Optional subjects

Are some subjects more important than others?

With the LOMCE subjects are classified in three ways:

Obligatory core subjects• These are the same for pupils throughout the country at

each educational stage.

• They should take up at least 50% of the school timetable

and everything is established by the Government in

relation to these subjects.

Obligatory specific subjects• There are three of these and a student should study two in

each course; Physical Education and a choice between

Religion or Social and Civic values.

• Performance Indicators are established by the

Government in these subjects.

Elective subjects dependent on the Autonomous Community or School

• These subjects are designed by the each of the

Autonomous Communities.

• According to the stage, the offer of this type of subjects is

more or less wide-ranging.

• The only obligatory subject offered and programmed

each year at all stages is the Co-official Language in

Communities where this applies.

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How many assessments will there be and what

are the objectives behind these? (I)

3rd Primary• This is a diagnostic evaluation to detect difficulties and

implement improvement measures.

• Each Autonomous Community carries these out and

there are no academic repercussions.

6th Primary • This is an external exam, the same for students across

the country. The Government will develop and design

the evaluation criteria and characteristics for these

tests.

• Competences are measured: What the student knows

and knows how to do.

• The results will be informative and orientative for

Secondary.

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are the objectives behind these? (II)

4th Secondary• This is an external exam, the same for students across

the country. The Government will develop and design the

evaluation criteria and characteristics for these tests.

• There will be two final exams:

- 4th Secondary: Academic. Successful students are

awarded a Secondary Education Certificate (ESO

Diploma) in Academic Education, which is necessary to

enter Bachillerato.

- 4th Secondary: Applied. Successful students are

awarded a Secondary Education Certificate (ESO

Diploma) in Applied Education, which is necessary to

enter Vocational studies at the Middle Grade Training

Cycle level.

• Independently of the course studied at 4th Secondary,

pupils can sit whichever one of the two exams, and if they

should so wish, both of them.

• This assessment has academic repercussions because

students who pass are awarded the Secondary

Education Certificate.

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2º Bachillerato• This is an external exam, the same for pupils across the

country. The Government will develop and design the

evaluation criteria and characteristics for these tests.

• This assessment has academic repercussions because

students who pass are awarded the Bachillerato

Diploma.


are the objectives behind these? (III)

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What changes affect Pre-School?

• So far, Pre-School Education continues to be regulated

according to the LOE. However, in the Official State

Bulletin (BOE) nº 295 in which the Organic Law for

the Improvement of Educational Quality 8/2013 was

published, on the 9th December, stated:

“Para el segundo ciclo de Educación Infantil... el Gobierno fijará los objetivos, competencias, contenidos y criterios de evaluación del currículo básico…”.

“El Gobierno establecerá las bases de la educación plurilingüe desde segundo ciclo de Educación Infantil hasta Bachillerato…”.

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How is Primary School organised?

• The main change is the disappearance of the three

year cycles (ciclos). With the LOMCE, Primary School is

a six-course stage.

• Breakdown of “Natural, Social and Cutural Sciences “

into “Natural Sciences” and “Social Sciences”.

• A student can only repeat a course once.

The subject offer in Primary is the following:

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CORE SUBJECTS(The minimum teaching time forthe core subjects will be at least half of the total teaching time)

ELECTIVE SUBJECTS (Should take at least 3 out of 6

offered, where Physical Education and Religion / Social and Civic

Values are mandatory)

REGIONAL OPTIONS

• Natural Science• Social Science• Mathematics• Spanish Language and

Literature• First Foreign Language

• PE (Physical Education)• Religion or Social and Civic

Values

At least 1:• Art• Second Foreign Language

Provided it has not been chosen before:

• Religion• Social and Civic Values

• Co-official Language and Literature

• Elective subject choices not taken before

• Extension or consolidation of Core subjects still to be determined

How is Secondary School organised? (I)

• Secondary Education is still divided into two cycles.

However, with the LOMCE, the First Cycle covers 1st, 2nd

and 3rd course. The Second Secondary Cycle consists

of only one course, 4th Secondary.

• At this 4th Secondary year, students have two options:

- 4th Secondary: Applied Education in order to begin

Professional Studies

- 4th Secondary: Academic Education in order to

enter Bachillerato

• Students can repeat no more than twice in all of

Secondary but they cannot repeat the same course

twice.

• Exceptionally, students can repeat the 4th Secondary

year, but only if they have not repeated any other year

in ESO.

• Students pass onto the next course if they do not fail

more than two subjects and if the subjects are not both

Maths and Language.

• Exceptionally, students can pass onto the next course if

they have failed three subjects subject to teaching staff

approval

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How is Secondary School organised? (II)

The subject offer in Secondary is the following:

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CORE SUBJECTS(The minimum teaching time for

the core subjects will be at least half of the total teaching time)

ELECTIVE SUBJECTS (ESPECÍFICAS)

REGIONAL OPTIONS

FIRS

T C

YCLE

1st• Biology and Geology• History and Geography• Mathematics

• Spanish Language and Literature• First Foreign Language

• PE (Physical Education)• Religion or Ethical Values

Can choose from one up to four of the following (they may be different each year):

• Classic Culture• Introduction to Entrepreneurship

and Business• Music• ICT• Visual Arts• Second Foreign Language

Provided they have not been chosen before:

• Religion• Ethical Values

Co-official language and literature

Elective subjects not previously taken or further subjects to be defined.

2nd• History and Geography• Spanish Language

and Literature

• Physics and Chemistry• Mathematics• First Foreign Language

3rd

• Biology and Geology• Physics and Chemistry• History and Geography• Spanish Language

and Literature• First Foreign Language

Optional subject:• Mathematics oriented towards an

academic degree• Mathematics oriented towards an

applied degree.

GENERAL CORE SUBJECTS

CORE SUBJECTS IN THE SELECTED OPTION

ELECTIVE SUBJECTS (ESPECÍFICAS)

REGIONAL OPTIONS

SEC

ON

D C

YCLE

Ac

ad

em

ic (

rou

te in

to

Bach

iller

ato

)

• History and Geography• Spanish Language

and Literature• First Foreign Language

• Mathematics oriented towards an academic degree

Two to choose from:• Biology and Geology• Economics• Physics and Chemistry• Latin

• PE (Physical Education• Religion or Ethical Values

Can choose between one and four of the following:

• Performing Arts and Dance• Scientific Studies• Classic Culture• Philosophy• Music• ICT• Second Foreign Language• Visual Arts• Any of the core subjects not chosen

before

Provided they have not been chosen before

• Religion• Ethical Values

Co-official language and literature

Elective subjects not previously taken or further subjects to be defined.

Extended study relating to the core or chosen subjects.A

pp

lied

(r

ou

te in

to F

P)

• Mathematics oriented towards an applied degree.

Two to choose from:• Science Applied to Professional

Activity• Introduction to Entrepreneurship

and Business • ICT

What certification is awarded on finishing

Secondary Education (ESO) and what

studies does this give access to?

• There are two requirements in order to obtain the

Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Título de Graduado en ESO):

- Achieve an overall grade of 5 or higher in the final

Secondary Exams.

- Obtain a final grade in Secondary of 5 or higher.

Final grade of Secondary = 70% subjects studied + 30%

final exam.

• On passing the Academic Education exam, students

have access to Bachillerato, Professional Studies of Fine

Arts and Design and Sports Education at the Middle

Grade Training Cycle level (Ciclos Formativos de Grado Medio).

• On passing the Applied Education exam, students have

access to Middle Grade Professional Studies, Middle

Grade Professional Studies of AAPPDD and Sports

Studies of GM.

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How is Bachillerato organised? (I)

The LOMCE maintains two courses for Bachillerato (Senior

Secondary Education) but there are now three different

options:

- Sciences

- Humanities and Social Sciences

- Arts

• At Bachillerato, students have a maximum of 4 years to

study at this level. They can repeat 3 times the 1st course

but they must do the 2nd course in a year.

• Students pass onto the next course if they do not fail

more than two subjects and if the subjects are not both

Maths and Language.

• Exceptionally, students can pass onto the next course if

they have failed three subjects subject to teaching staff

approval.

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CORE SUBJECTSELECTIVE SUBJECTS

(ESPECIFICAS)

REGIONAL OPTIONS (LIBRE

CONFIGURACIÓN AUTONÓMICA)

GENERAL PROGRAMME SPECIFIC

SCIE

NC

E • History of Spain• Spanish Language and

Literature II• Mathematics II• First Foreign Language II

Two of the following:• Biology • Geology• Technical Drawing II• Physics • Chemistry

Either 2 or 3 of the following:

• Musical Analysis II• Earth and

Envirommental Sciences

• Second Foreign Language II

• Fundamentals of Administration and Management

• Art Techniques• Industrial Technology II• Physhology• ICT II• Artistic Drawing II• Imagen and Sound• Technology Drawing II• History of Music and

Dance• History of Philosophy• Religion• One of the core or

specific subjectss

Co-official Language and Literature

PE (Physical Education)

Elective subjects choices not previously taken or further subjects to be defined.

Extended study of relating to the core or chosen subjects.

HU

MA

NIT

IES

AN

D

SOC

IAL

SCIE

NC

ES

HU

MA

NI-

TIES • History of

Spain• Spanish

Language and Literature II

• First Foreign Language II

• Latin IITwo of the following:• Business Economics• Greek II• History of Art• History of Philosophy• Geography

SOC

IAL

SCIE

NC

ES • Mathematics Applied to Social Sciences II

ART

S

• History of Spain• Art fundamentals II• Spanish Language and

Literature II• First Foreign Language II

Two of the following:• Media Studies II• Performing Arts• Design

How is Bachillerato organised? (II)

1st

2nd

The subject offer at Bachillerato is the following:

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CORE SUBJECTSELECTIVE SUBJECTS

(ESPECIFICAS)

REGIONAL OPTIONS (LIBRE

CONFIGURACIÓN AUTONÓMICA)

GENERAL PROGRAMME SPECIFIC

SCIE

NC

E • Philosophy• Spanish Language and

Literature I• Mathematics I• First Foreign Language I

Two of the following:• Biology and Geology• Technical Drawing I• Physics and

Chemistry

• PE (Physical Education)

Either 2 or 3 of the following:

• Musical Analysis I• Second Foreign

Language I• Applied Anatomy• Industrial Technology I• Cultural Science• ICT I• Artistic Drawing I• Volume• Technology Drawing I• Language and Musical

Practice• Religion• One of the core or

specific subjectss

Co-official Language and Literature

Elective subjects choices not previously taken or further subjects to be defined.

Extended study of relating to the core or chosen subjects.

HU

MA

NIT

IES

AN

D

SOC

IAL

SCIE

NC

ES

HU

MA

NI-

TIES • Philosophy

• Spanish Language and Literature I

• First Foreign Language I

• LatIn ITwo of the following:• Economics• Greek I• Contempary World

History• Universal Literature

SOC

IAL

SCIE

NC

ES • Mathematics Applied to Social Sciences I

ART

S

• Philosophy• Art fundamentals I• Spanish Language and

Literature I• First Foreign Language I

Two of the following:• Media Studies I• Contempary World

History• Universal Literature


Bachillerato and what studies does this

give access to?

• There are two requirements in order to obtain

the High School Diploma/Baccalaureate (título de Bachillerato):

- Achieve an overall grade of 5 or higher in the final

Bachillerato exams.

- Obtain a final grade in Bachillerato of 5 or higher.

Final grade of Bachillerato = 60% subjects studied +

• Students who pass have access to Professional Training

programmes at Middle Grade (Grado Medio) and

Higher Grade (Grado Superior).

• However, access to studies at university level is not

guaranteed. With the LOMCE, access will be regulated

by the Universities themselves. At least 60% of the

possible points based on grades will be based on

the Bachillerato grade-point average. Universities can

also decide if 100% of the points take into account

the Bachillerato option and type of elective subjects

studied.

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How is Professional Training organised?

How can Basic Professional Training be

accessed?

One of the main innovations of the LOMCE is the boost

given to Professional Training. A new stage has been

introduced in the Educational System; Basic Professional

Training. The Professional Training framework is now

structured in this way:

• Basic Professional Training

• Middle Grade Professional Training

• Higher Grade Professional Training

There are three main requirements to be fulfilled:

• Be 15 years old, or turn 15 over the course of the year

and not be older than 17 on accessing the course or

during the current calendar year of the course.

• Have studied 3rd Secondary (3º de ESO) or,

exceptionally, 2nd Secondary (2º de ESO). • Be proposed by teaching staff to parents or legal

guardians for Basic Professional Training.

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Are there common subjects in Professional Basic

Training?

What certification is achieved in Basic

Professional Training and what studies does this

give access to?

• The Basic Professional Training Certificate (Título de Formación Profesional Básica) is awarded on successful

completion of the Training Cycle.

• This facilitates access to Professional Training at Middle

Grade (Formación Profesional de Grado Medio).• Students also have the possibility of sitting the final exam

of ESO for either of the two existing options (Academic or

Applied). If they pass, they will be awarded the Secondary

School Leaving Certificate (título de Graduado en ESO).

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LIFELONG LEARNING (APRENDIZAJE PERMANENTE) DEVELOPING

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

1st

Block I: Social and Communication studies

Block I: Applied Sciences

Vocational modules associated with CNCP skills.

In company training module.

· Spanish language · Social sciences· Foreign language · Cooficial language

· Applied Mathematics· Applied Sciences

2nd

Block II: Social and Communication studies

Block II: Applied Sciences

· Spanish language · Social sciences· Foreign language · Cooficial language

· Applied Mathematics· Applied Sciences


Middle Grade Professional Training

(Formación Profesional de Grado Medio)

and what studies does this give access to?

• The Technician Certificate (Título Profesional de Técnico)

is awarded on successful completion of the Training

Cycle.

• It is now possible for students to study these elective

subjects:

a) Communication in Spanish

b) Communication in a Foreign Language

c) Applied Mathematics

d) Communication in a Co-official Language where

this applies,

Passing these subjects facilitates the transition from

Professional Training to other types of education.

• The High School Diploma/Baccalaureate (título de Bachillerato) can be obtained by passing the final

Bachillerato exams of block subjects in core curriculum

areas; a minimum of which should be included in the

study mode and option that students have chosen.

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Higher Grade Professional Training

(Formación Profesional de Grado Superior)

and what studies does this give access to?

• The Superior Technician Certificate (Título Profesional de Técnico Superior) is awarded on successful completion of

the Training Cycle.

• On successfully passing the admission procedure, this

certificate allows students access to studies at a university

degree level.

• The High School Diploma/Baccalaureate (título de Bachillerato) can be obtained by passing the final

Bachillerato exams of block subjects in core curriculum

areas; a minimum of which should be included in the

study mode and option that students have chosen.

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Other aspects

What measures are to be implemented in

relation to learning foreign languages?

• Spanish or the Co-official language will only be used as

support in the foreign language learning process.

• Priority will be given to oral expression and

comprehension.

• Help in the form of in foreign languages assistants will

be provided for educational centres.

• Specialisation of bilingual centres will be encouraged,

in the context of centre autonomy and quality-oriented

actions.

• Basic, Intermediate and Advanced language levels will

be mapped to the Common European Framework of

Reference for Languages (CEFR) levels - A, B and C.

.

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Other aspects

What measures are envisaged to attend to

diversity?

Primary• Early detection of difficulties by diagnostic testing in 3rd

Primary.

• Plans for Improvement in 6th Primary.

Secondary• Programmes to Improve Learning and Performance in 2nd

and 3rd

General• Use of ICT to attend to the diversity of learning paces and

styles.

• Adaptation of physical and material conditions during

assessment periods for students with special educational

needs.

• Action plans to develop the intellectually gifted.

• Advice and counselling.

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Other aspects

What does an increase in autonomy for centres

mean?

• The LOMCE allows specialisation in educational centres

to attend to the specific needs of students and their

families.

• Specialisation is defined in the following areas:

- Curricular specialisation

- Excellence

- Teacher training

- Improving school performance

- Attending students who need specific educational

attention

- Making teaching resources available on digital

platforms

- Increasing educational centre autonomy

• The School Board will guarantee educational

community participation in the control and

management of state-funded schools.

• Schools that receive state funding will be held

accountable for funds and justification of their use.

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Other aspects

How will the LOMCE affect the Director and

teaching staff?

What measures are to be implemented to

boost ICT?

• From now on, Directors must accredit 5 years of

teaching experience and have passed a specific

Management Development training course.

• Admission is by public competition and the length of

the post is four years.

• With regards to teaching staff, under the LOMCE all

teachers are considered to be Public Authority with

presumption of veracity of management and teaching

teams statements.

• Extension of the concept of the classroom in time and

space: virtual learning environments.

• Shared use of Ministry technological and digital

platforms with education authorities, educational

centres, teachers and students.

• Selection of quality digital resources, and recognition

of contributions from the educational community that

meet the established best practice guidelines.

• Establishment of interoperability standards.

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Do Macmillan materials and text books comply with the existing legislation? Yes. Macmillan works within the Europe 2020 Strategy framework which suggests how

educational guidelines should be implemented in each country.

The levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and their

descriptors or learning standards, the acquisition of basic skills (also marked by the EU),

and the development of lifelong learning strategies are a fundamental part of all our

materials.

Whatever the educational level you work at or your school’s project, at Macmillan we

offer you advice through our personalized services.

Find what you need on our website: answers to key questions about the LOMCE,

information about our books, and links to the different legislation of each Autonomous

Community. The Macmillan web pages are full of useful information to keep you updated

with the Law for the Improvement of Educational Quality.

Contact your Macmillan representative: Our representatives are available in thirteen

Macmillan local offices. Do not hesitate to contact them if you need more information

and advice.

www.macmillanelt.es/askmacmillanabout

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Our books

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