Italy - Teaching

In the article, I found that the process of becoming a teacher in Italy, unlike many other countries we have studied, is intensive, and qualifications are not helpful but required. Teachers and educational staff in Italy have shifted from a government responsibility to, the responsibility to the individual schools. They are highly trained at different levels of practice depending on their desired level of teaching. They are also required to attend four year college institutions (institutos Magistrales) and successfully complete the designed teaching training program including, theory, methods, and teaching practice. Aspiring secondary instructors must attend a two year specialty college (Scuole di Specializzazione) to obtain their designation of Abulitazione. In many countries around the world, teachers are not as qualified to teach the higher levels of education, while the lower level students also receive a subpar academic education. Outside of Italy such as in the United States, we often see instances in which teachers have problems accommodating to special needs, or handicapped students. Italian teachers receive training on the integration of these students in the classroom while also offering the normal specialization in these areas. The final distinction of Italian teaching is that unlike teachers in the United States, Italian private school teachers must meet the same qualifications as public school teachers. Throughout my high school experience I have had many teachers that may have been qualified, but did not have their teaching certificate. While our private schools are responsible for their own staff, Italy requires that all teachers prove their qualifications through certification. With one qualified teacher to every 11 students in a classroom setting, there is no confusion as to the reasons for the strong educational system and the 98% literacy rate in Italy.