A few days before the first bell of the new school year rings, Italy's pupils, parents and teachers are looking forward to a raft of reforms that will bring lasting changes to everyday school life. The innovations initiated by the Ministry of Education under Minister Giuseppe Valditara are primarily aimed at strengthening discipline and reweighting performance and behavioral assessments.
One of the most drastic changes is the strict ban on cell phones. While this previously only applied to the lower school, it is now being extended to all school types and levels. Smartphones must be switched off for the entire duration of lessons. At the same time, the behavior grade will be massively upgraded and will have a direct impact on promotion.
Behavior determines the class goal
In future, the grade for behavior will be the decisive factor. Anyone who receives a grade 5 (sufficient) in behavior in the lower or middle school will have to repeat the school year. In the upper school, a 6 (just sufficient) leads to a re-examination in September, in which knowledge of civic values is tested. The behavioral grade is also included in the grade point average and influences the points awarded for admission to the Abitur examination, the "Maturità". The rules for expulsion are also being adapted: Short suspensions of up to two days lead to in-depth activities at school, while longer expulsions must be combined with community service.
Reform of the Abitur examination
There are also significant changes for the final classes of the upper school. The oral Abitur examination will be multidisciplinary in order to better assess students' interdisciplinary skills. Minister Valditara also made it unmistakably clear that refusing to take the oral exam, as has occasionally happened in the past due to protest, will in future lead directly to failing the baccalaureate. While the first written exam in Italian will remain unchanged, adjustments could also be made to the second, subject-specific exam.
