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about
the LOMCE

Basic aspects
of the LOMCE
Main changes
by educational
level
Other aspects
adressed by the
LOMCE

ask macmillan
about
the LOMCE

Basic aspects
of the LOMCE
Main changes
by educational
level
Other aspects
adressed by the
LOMCE

ask macmillan
about
the LOMCE

Basic aspects of the LOMCE

Is the LOMCE a new Law of Education?

No. The LOMCE is an amendment of the existing school
reform LOE (Organic Law of Education).

What are the general objectives of the

LOMCE?
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.

Basic aspects of the LOMCE

The new structure

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of the education system

1st

PRE-PRIMARY
3 - 6 year olds

2nd

QUALIFICATIONS

3rd

T1 - Vocational certificate
T2 - ESO Academic Graduate
Qualification

1st

T3 - ESO Applied Graduate

2nd

Qualification

3rd

COMPULSORY EDUCATION

PRIMARY
6 - 12 year olds

SECONDARY/
POST-COMPULSORY EDUCATION
HIGHER
EDUCATION

T5 - Baccalaureate certificate

4th

T6 - Higher Grade Technician

certificate

5th

T7 - University Degree

6th
Final exam

1st

SECONDARY
1st CYCLE
1st, 2nd, 3rd year
12 - 15 year olds

2nd

1st

3rd *

2nd

BASIC
VOCATIONAL
STUDIES

T1

15 -17 years old

SECONDARY
2nd CYCLE
4th year
15 - 16 year olds

*
**
***
****

T4 - Technician certificate

Evaluation

4th year
Academic

4th year
Applied
optional path

Final exam of
academic Secondary
education

T3

T2

BACHILLERATO

Access exam for Middle

Grade Vocational Studies

Final exam of applied

secondary education

1st

1st

2nd

2nd

T4
Final Bachillerato
exam***

Access exam for Higher

Grade Vocational Studies

T5

UNIVERSITY

MIDDLE GRADE
VOCATIONAL
STUDIES**

UNIVERSITY****
T7

1st
2nd

HIGHER GRADE
VOCATIONAL
STUDIES
T6

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.

Basic aspects of the LOMCE

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When will it be implemented and in which

courses?
Primary

2014/2015

2015/2016

1st / 3rd / 5th

2nd / 4th / 6th

Secondary

2016/2017

2017/2018

1st / 3rd

2nd / 4th
Final evaluation in 2017
will have not academic
repercussions

First final
evaluation
with academic
weighting

1st

2nd
Final evaluation in 2017
will have not academic
repercussions

First final
evaluation
with academic
weighting

Bachillerato

Basic Vocational
Studies

2nd

1st

Middle Grade
Studies

Optional
subjects

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
Mathematicalcompetence and basiccompetences
in science andtechnology
Digital competence
Learning to learn
Social and civic competences
Sense of initiative and entrepreneurship
Cultural awareness and expression

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Basic aspects of the LOMCE

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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Basic aspects of the LOMCE

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.

Basic aspects of the LOMCE

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How many assessments will there be and what

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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Basic aspects of the LOMCE

How many assessments will there be and what

are the objectives behind these? (III)
2 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.

ask macmillan
about
the LOMCE

Basic aspects
of the LOMCE
Main changes
by educational
level
Other aspects
adressed by the
LOMCE

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Main changes by educational level

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) n 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 Educacin Infantil... el

Gobierno fijar los objetivos, competencias, contenidos
y criterios de evaluacin del currculo bsico.
El Gobierno establecer las bases de la educacin
plurilinge desde segundo ciclo de Educacin Infantil
hasta Bachillerato.

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Main changes by educational level

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:
CORE SUBJECTS

(The minimum teaching time for

the core subjects will be at least
half of the total teaching time)
Natural Science
Social Science
Mathematics
Spanish Language and
Literature
First Foreign Language

ELECTIVE SUBJECTS

(Should take at least 3 out of 6

offered, where Physical Education
and Religion / Social and Civic
Values are mandatory)
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

REGIONAL OPTIONS

Co-official Language and

Literature
Elective subject choices not
taken before
Extension or consolidation of
Core subjects still to be
determined

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Main changes by educational level

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

Main changes by educational level

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How is Secondary School organised? (II)

The subject offer in Secondary is the following:
CORE SUBJECTS

(The minimum teaching time for

the core subjects will be at least half of the total teaching time)
Biology and Geology
History and Geography
Mathematics

Spanish Language and Literature

First Foreign Language

nd

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.

FIRST CYCLE

1st

Academic (route into

Bachillerato)
Applied
(route into FP)

SECOND CYCLE

GENERAL CORE
SUBJECTS

CORE SUBJECTS IN THE

SELECTED OPTION
Mathematics oriented towards an
academic degree

History and Geography

Spanish Language
and Literature
First Foreign Language

Two to choose from:

Biology and Geology
Economics
Physics and Chemistry
Latin
Mathematics oriented towards an
applied degree.
Two to choose from:
Science Applied to Professional
Activity
Introduction to Entrepreneurship
and Business
ICT

ELECTIVE SUBJECTS
(ESPECFICAS)

REGIONAL
OPTIONS

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

Co-official
language and
literature
Elective subjects
not previously
taken or further
subjects to be
defined.

Provided they have not been chosen

before:
Religion
Ethical Values

ELECTIVE SUBJECTS
(ESPECFICAS)

REGIONAL
OPTIONS

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.

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Main changes by educational level

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 (Ttulo 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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Main changes by educational level

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.

Main changes by educational level

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How is Bachillerato organised? (II)

The subject offer at Bachillerato is the following:
1st

CORE SUBJECTS
PROGRAMME
SPECIFIC

HUMANITIES
SOCIAL
SCIENCES

ARTS

HUMANITIES AND
SOCIAL SCIENCES

SCIENCE

GENERAL
Philosophy
Spanish Language and
Literature I
Mathematics I
First Foreign Language I

Philosophy
Spanish
Language
and
Literature I
First Foreign
Language I

LatIn I

Mathematics
Applied
to Social
Sciences I

Philosophy
Art fundamentals I
Spanish Language and
Literature I
First Foreign Language I

Two of the following:

Biology and Geology
PE (Physical Education)
Technical Drawing I
Physics and
Either 2 or 3 of the
Chemistry
following:
Musical Analysis I
Second Foreign
Language I
Two of the following:
Applied Anatomy
Economics
Industrial Technology I
Greek I
Cultural Science
Contempary World
ICT I
History
Artistic Drawing I
Universal Literature
Volume
Technology Drawing I
Language and Musical
Practice
Two of the following:
Religion
Media Studies I
One of the core or
Contempary World
specific subjectss
History
Universal Literature

CORE SUBJECTS

HUMANITIES
SOCIAL
SCIENCES

ARTS

HUMANITIES AND
SOCIAL SCIENCES

SCIENCE

2nd

GENERAL

PROGRAMME
SPECIFIC

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

History of
Spain
Spanish
Language
and
Literature II
First Foreign
Language II

Two of the following:

Business Economics
Greek II
History of Art
History of Philosophy
Geography

Latin II

Mathematics
Applied
to Social
Sciences II

History of Spain
Art fundamentals II
Spanish Language and
Literature II
First Foreign Language II

ELECTIVE SUBJECTS
(ESPECIFICAS)

Two of the following:

Media Studies II
Performing Arts
Design

ELECTIVE SUBJECTS
(ESPECIFICAS)

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

REGIONAL
OPTIONS (LIBRE
CONFIGURACIN
AUTONMICA)

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.

REGIONAL
OPTIONS (LIBRE
CONFIGURACIN
AUTONMICA)

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.

Main changes by educational level

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What certification is awarded on finishing

Bachillerato and what studies does this
give access to?
There are two requirements in order to obtain
the High School Diploma/Baccalaureate (ttulo 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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Main changes by educational level

How is Professional Training organised?

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

How can Basic Professional Training be

accessed?
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 (3 de ESO) or,
exceptionally, 2nd Secondary (2 de ESO).
Be proposed by teaching staff to parents or legal
guardians for Basic Professional Training.

Main changes by educational level

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Are there common subjects in Professional Basic

Training?

2nd

1st

LIFELONG LEARNING (APRENDIZAJE PERMANENTE)

Block I: Social and Communication
studies
Spanish language Social sciences
Foreign language Cooficial language

Block II: Social and Communication

studies
Spanish language Social sciences
Foreign language Cooficial language

DEVELOPING
PROFESSIONAL
SKILLS

Block I: Applied
Sciences
Applied Mathematics
Applied Sciences

Block II: Applied

Sciences

Vocational modules
associated with
CNCP skills.
In company training
module.

Applied Mathematics
Applied Sciences

What certification is achieved in Basic

Professional Training and what studies does this
give access to?
The Basic Professional Training Certificate (Ttulo de

Formacin Profesional Bsica) is awarded on successful

completion of the Training Cycle.
This facilitates access to Professional Training at Middle
Grade (Formacin 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 (ttulo de Graduado en ESO).

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Main changes by educational level

What certification is awarded on finishing

Middle Grade Professional Training

(Formacin Profesional de Grado Medio)

and what studies does this give access to?
The Technician Certificate (Ttulo Profesional de Tcnico)
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 (ttulo 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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Main changes by educational level

What certification is awarded on finishing

Higher Grade Professional Training

(Formacin Profesional de Grado Superior)

and what studies does this give access to?
The Superior Technician Certificate (Ttulo Profesional de

Tcnico 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 (ttulo 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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Basic aspects
of the LOMCE
Main changes
by educational
level
Other aspects
adressed by the
LOMCE

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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?
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.

What measures are to be implemented to

boost ICT?
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.

Our books
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.

Our services
Whatever the educational level you work at or your schools 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.

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