ask

macmillan
about

the LOMCE
main changes
calendar
system structure
evaluation
competences
vocational training
multilingualism

Main changes
How are subjects organized in the LOMCE?
Subjects are classified in three ways:

- Obligatory core subjects: 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: Performance Indicators are established by the
Government in these subjects.
- Elective regional configurations: Subjects are designed by each autonomous community.

Assessment:
Assessment of competences in years 3 and 6 of primary education, which are only used for
guidance and have no academic repercussions.
Final evaluation in the 4th year of secondary education is a nationally standardized exam
and counts towards students final grades.
Final evaluation in the 2nd year of Bachillerato is a nationally standardized exam and counts
towards students final qualification.
Selectividad will cease to exist.

Flexible learning paths:

Creation of basic vocational training programmes: FP Bsica
Development of learning improvement programmes.
In the 3rd year of secondary education, students choice of subjects steers them towards
academic or vocational training programmes.
In the 4th year of secondary education, students choose to follow an academic programme
in preparation for Bachillerato or an applied programme, leading into FP Bsica.
There will be a final Bachillerato exam, which can also be sat by students who have a
Middle Grade vocational qualification (FP Grado Medio) or a Higher Grade vocational
qualification (FP Grado Superior).

Other relevant changes:

Increased autonomy for educational centres
Promotion of foreign language learning
Promotion of vocational training
Increased use of learning technologies (TICs)

Where will the LOMCE be introduced?

Primary

2014/2015

2015/2016

1st / 3rd / 5th

2nd / 4th / 6th

Secondary

Bachillerato

Basic Vocational
Studies
Middle Grade
Studies

1st

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

2nd
Optional
subjects

System structure
How is the education system structured with the LOMCE?

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.

Pre-Primary
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, it states that:

"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".

Primary
What are the main changes in Primary?
With the LOMCE, Primary education is considered as a
six-stage course.
The subjects now known as Natural, Social and Cultural
Knowledge will now be known as Natural and Social
Sciences.
A student can only repeat a course once.

Assessment:
Diagnostic assessment in Primary 3 to detect difficulties and implement improvement
measures.
External exam in Primary 6. Competences are measured: What the student knows and knows
how to do. The results will be informative and orientative for Secondary.

How are subjects organized?

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

REGIONAL OPTIONS

Co-official Language and

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

Provided it has not been chosen

before:
Religion
Social and Civic Values

Key Competences
Competence in linguistic
communication

Digital
competence

Secondary
What are the main changes in the Secondary sector?
Secondary education continues to be divided into two stages, called cycles. However, with the LOMCE, the
first cycle covers levels 1-3 and the second cycle only includes the 4th year of Secondary.
In the 4th year of Secondary, students will have two options.

- The Academic 4th year of Secondary leads to entry into Bachillerato.

- The Applied 4th year of Secondary leads into Middle Grade Vocational

training (FP Grado Medio)

Students can only repeat a maximum of two years of their Secondary education
and cannot repeat the same year twice.
Students move up to the next year providing that they dont fail more than two
subjects and dont fail in both Maths and Spanish Language.

Assessment:
Students will sit a final exam in Secondary 4. There will be 2 versions of this exam:

- Secondary 4 Academic: Those who pass will obtain their Diploma in Academic Secondary Education
and gain entry into Bachillerato.

- Secondary 4 Applied: Those who pass will obtain their Diploma in Applied Secondary Education and
gain entry into Middle Grade vocational training (FP Grado Medio).

This exam has academic value, since those who pass will be awarded their Diploma in Secondary
Education (ESO).

How are subjects organized?

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

Competence in mathematics, science

and technology

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.

Learning
to learn

Bachillerato
What are the main changes in Bachillerato?
With the introduction of the LOMCE, Bachillerato will still consist of two stages, but there are
now different programme options:

- Sciences

- Humanities and Social Sciences

- Arts

Students have a maximum of 4 years to complete Bachillerato.

Students can advance to the next stage if they do not fail more than two subjects, which
cannot be both Maths and a Language.
In some exceptional cases and only if authorized by teaching staff, students may
sometimes be allowed to progress to the next stage of Bachillerato having failed 3 subjects.
subject to teaching staff approval.

Assessment:
Final exam in Bachillerato. This standardized
national exam will be taken at the end of the
second stage of Bachillerato.
The Government will determine the assessment
criteria and characteristics of this exam. Those who
pass will be awarded the Bachillerato diploma.
This marks the end of the Selectividad exam.

How are subjects organized in first stage?

CORE SUBJECTS

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

PROGRAMME
SPECIFIC

ELECTIVE SUBJECTS
(ESPECIFICAS)

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

For more information about 2nd stage subjects, visit:

Social and civic

competences

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.

www.macmillanelt.es/askmacmillanabout
www.macmillanprofesional.es/macmillanteinforma

Sense of initiative and

entrepreneurship

Vocational Studies
What are the main changes to
vocational training?
One of the main objectives of the LOMCE is to
promote vocational training. A new stage has been
introduced, leading into the existing FP Grado Medio.
Vocational training programmes are now structured
as follows:

- Basic Vocational Training

- Middle Grade Vocational Training

- Higher Grade Vocational Training

Basic Vocational Training

The Basic Vocational Training certificate is awarded upon completion of this programme.
This facilitates access to Middle Grade vocational training.
Students completing this stage can also sit the final Secondary exam (Academic or
Applied) and be awarded their Diploma in Secondary Education.

How are the subjects organized in the Basic Vocational Training?

DEVELOPING
PROFESSIONAL
SKILLS

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

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 changes affect Middle Grade Vocational Training Programmes?

Academic administrators can offer the following optional subjects to students in Middle Grade
vocational training programmes:

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 Vocational Training to other types of
education.
The Bachillerato Diploma can be optained by passing the final Bachillerato exam associated
with the core subjects included in the course that the student has studied.

Cultural awareness
and expression

Lifelong
learning skills

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.

ask macmillan
about
the LOMCE

www.macmillanelt.es/
askmacmillanabout

macmillan te informa www.macmillanprofesional.es/

sobre
la LOMCE

macmillanteinforma

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.

Regional
offices

Bilbao
Tel. 94 427 13 14 Fax 94 441 92 70
bilbao@macmillan.es

Sevilla
Tel. 95 428 04 00 Fax 95 428 46 03
sevilla@macmillan.es

Granada
Tel. 958 22 04 30 Fax 958 22 01 10
granada@macmillan.es

Palma de Mallorca
Tel. 971 75 82 73 Fax 971 76 00 44
illesbalears@macmillan.es

A Corua
Tel. 981 20 89 87 Fax 981 21 12 30
coruna@macmillan.es

Madrid
Tel. 91 517 85 40 Fax 91 517 85 54
madrid@macmillan.es

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Tel. 928 43 34 93 Fax 928 37 17 66
canarias@macmillan.es

Asturias
Tel. 985 24 59 21 Fax 985 27 64 85
asturias@macmillan.es

Mlaga
Tel. 952 30 95 30
malaga@macmillan.es

Valencia
Tel. 96 341 27 33 Fax 96 341 72 79
valencia@macmillan.es

Barcelona
Tel. 93 241 33 01 Fax 93 209 99 49
barcelona@macmillan.es

Murcia
Tel. 968 84 69 84 Fax 968 84 69 69
murcia@macmillan.es

Zaragoza
Tel. 976 20 42 17 Fax 976 39 17 98
zaragoza@macmillan.es