School operation in upper secondary schools in 2009-2010

The total number of teaching days and examination days in upper secondary schools in 2009-2010 was between 161 and 184, depending on the school. The average number of days was 175.2, which is a half day more than in the previous school year.

Teaching days can be divided into full-time and other teaching days. There were between 142 and 179 full-time teaching days during the school year. The difference in number is caused by various arrangements in the schools’ operation. The average number of full-time teaching days was 149.1, which is an increase of almost 2 days from the previous school year. On average there were 3.8 more full-time teaching days in the spring than in the autumn semester. In addition, there were on average 2.2 other teaching days.

Between 0 and 32 days were used for examination and assessment in the upper secondary schools. Most schools have specific examination periods while in other schools exams and assessments take place during teaching days. On average 24 days were used for examinations and assessment, which is one day less than during the previous school year. Figure 1 shows the average number of students’ days in 2001-2010. Students’ days consist of full-time teaching days, other teaching days and examination/assessment days.

Teachers’ wage contracts presume a total of 175 teaching and examination days during the school year, and 4 additional working days annually. The total number of teachers’ working days in 2009-2010 was between 171 and 197. The average number of teachers’ working days was 181.1, a decrease of 0.2 days from last year.

Special education departments are operating in 21 schools
The data collection indicates that 21 upper secondary schools have a special education department, an unchanged number from the previous school year.
According to information from the schools 27 schools have a credit-unit system and 6 schools operate according to a grade system.

About the data
Information on the number of teaching days, examination days and other teachers’ working days was obtained from 35 upper secondary schools. Two schools, Menntaskólinn Hraðbraut and Snyrtiskólinn operate according to a three semester system and are not included in the data above. Last school year one new school started operating; Framhaldsskólinn í Mosfellsbæ. This school takes part in an experiment with the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, which results in a longer school year and fewer examination and assessment days than in most other upper secondary schools.

Statistics