The total number of teaching days and examination days in upper secondary schools in 2008-2009 was between 164 and 185, depending on the school. The average number of days was 174.7, which is almost the same total as 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 147.4, which is a decrease of 0.2 days from the previous school year. On average there were 2.5 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 8 and 30 days (with one exception) were only 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 25 days were used for examinations and assessments, which is the same number of days as in the previous school year.
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 2008-2009 was between 175 and 196. The average number of all teachers’ working days was 181.3, a decrease of almost one day from last year. Thereof 178.3 days, on average, were during the annual school period.
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, 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 34 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 the schools Iðnskólinn í Reykjavík and Fjöltækniskóli Íslands were merged to form Tækniskólinn – skóli atvinnulífsins.