Spain

After the 1990 Legislation, compulsory secondary education lasted for four years, which was divided into two two-year cycles and which followed six years of general primary education. Upon graduation from secondary school, students received the degree Graduado en Educación Secondaria (Degree in Secondary Education). After secondary education, students would go on to the bachillerato if they planned to attend a university. After the completion of the bachillerato, students were required to take a university entrance examination, known as Prueba de Acceso or Selectividad.

Secondary education is organized in content areas similar to those set out for primary education. The curriculum is divided into two cycles: First Cycle and Second Cycle. Required subjects are emphasized in the First Cycle and students have more options for electives in the Second Cycle. Each cycle is divided into two, two-year groups.

Curricular content in secondary education is divided into common compulsory subjects and electives. Minimum core curricula are set by the state, and the Autonomous Community defines core curricula. Common compulsory subjects include natural science, physical education, plastic and visual education, social studies, geography and history, foreign languages, Spanish, the official regional language of the Autonomous Community (where there is one), literature, mathematics, technology, and music. All secondary schools must offer religious education, but it is not compulsory.

According to the stipulations of the statutes of the ESO Law, evaluation and assessment of students at the secondary level must be continuous and global and applied at the specific subject area. Evaluation must take into account the skills acquired at each level through the educational objectives of the various subject areas. Assessment is carried out by each level's teaching team, the individual teachers and is coordinated and supervised by the Counseling Department of each school. All data and information on student assessment must be included on the student's permanent academic record. Grades or evaluations are expressed in the following terms: Unsatisfactory (In), Satisfactory (Sf), Good (B), Very Good (N+), and Excellent (Sb).