Lower secondary education

Programmes at ISCED level 2, or lower secondary education, are typically designed to build on the learning outcomes from primary education. Usually, the aim is to lay the foundation for lifelong learning and human development upon which education systems may then expand further educational opportunities. Some education systems may already offer vocational education programmes at ISCED level 2 to provide individuals with skills relevant to employment.

Programmes at this level are usually organized around a more subject-oriented curriculum, introducing theoretical concepts across a broad range of subjects. Lower secondary school teachers typically have pedagogical training in specific subjects and, more often than at ISCED level 1, a class of students may have several teachers with specialised knowledge of the subjects they teach.

ISCED level 2 begins after four to seven years of ISCED level 1 education, with six years of ISCED level 1 being the most common duration. Students enter ISCED level 2 typically between ages 10 and 13 (age 12 being the most common).

Programmes classified at ISCED level 2 may be referred to in many ways, for example: secondary school (stage one/lower grades if there is one programme that spans ISCED levels 2 and 3), junior secondary school, middle school, or junior high school. If a programme spans ISCED levels 1 and 2, the terms elementary education or basic school (stage two/upper grades) are often used. For international comparability purposes, the term ‘lower secondary education’ is used to label ISCED level 2.

For the definition of lower secondary education, the following criteria are relevant:

Main criteria

a) Transition to more subject-oriented instruction;
b) Entry requirements; and
c) Cumulative duration since the beginning of ISCED level 1.

Subsidiary criteria

a) Typical entry age;
b) Instruction by subject teachers and qualifications of teachers; and
c) Relationship with compulsory education.

The boundary between ISCED level 1 and ISCED level 2 coincides with the transition point in the education system at which subject-oriented instruction is emphasised.

This level requires completion of ISCED level 1 or the ability to study ISCED level 2 content through a combination of prior education as well as life and work experiences. The successful completion of ISCED level 1 or a specific level of achievement may be required for entering some or all ISCED level 2 programmes in a specific country.

ISCED level 2 ends after 8 to 11 years of education from the start of ISCED level 1, with 9 years being the most widespread cumulative duration. At the end of ISCED level 2, pupils are typically aged 14 to 16 years (most often 15 years old).147. The required teacher qualifications may be different at ISCED level 2 compared to ISCED level 1. Teachers at ISCED level 2 are often qualified in one or more specific subjects, as well as in pedagogy. In addition, the organization of instruction can differ from ISCED level 1 as there are more often several teachers for one class, who teach in their respective field or fields of specialisation.

In many education systems with compulsory education legislation, the end of lower secondary education coincides with the end of compulsory (general) education.

ISCED level 2 includes programmes suited to individuals with special needs that are designed to build on the fundamental teaching and learning processes that begin at ISCED level 1 and/or to provide skills relevant to employment.

This level also includes lower secondary-level second chance or re-integration programmes. Such education programmes usually target individuals who:
– left education after completing primary education but before completing lower secondary education, allowing them to re-enter the education system and complete a lower secondary education programme; or
– who completed lower secondary education but wish to enter an education programme or occupation for which they are not yet qualified. Participants are typically older than the target age group for ISCED level 2.

This level also includes adult education programmes equivalent in complexity of content to the education given in programmes already classified at this level.

Two dimensions differentiate education programmes at ISCED level 2:
• Programme orientation;
• Level completion and access to higher ISCED levels.

Programme orientation

The following two orientation categories are defined:
• General education; and
• Vocational education

Level completion and access to higher ISCED levels

The following four level completion and access sub-categories are defined for ISCED level 2:
– No completion of ISCED level 2 (and thus without direct access to higher ISCED levels): short, terminal programmes (or sequence of programmes) with a duration of less than two years at ISCED level 2 or that end after less than eight years of cumulative duration since the beginning of ISCED level 1 These do not give access to ISCED level 3. Successful completion of such programmes does not count as completion of ISCED level 2
– Partial completion of ISCED level 2 without direct access to higher ISCED levels: programmes representing at least two years at ISCED level 2 and a cumulative duration of at least eight years since the beginning of ISCED level 1, and which are part of a sequence of programmes at ISCED level 2 but are not the last programme in the sequence at this level. These programmes do not give direct access to ISCED level 3. Successful completion of such programmes is considered as partial completion of the level only (as only the final programme in the sequence is likely to give access to ISCED level 3)
– Completion of ISCED level 2 without direct access to higher ISCED levels: programmes with a duration of at least two years at ISCED level 2 and that end after at least eight years of cumulative duration since the beginning of ISCED level 1 but which do not give access to ISCED level 3. Although these programmes are considered terminal, their successful completion qualifies for completion of ISCED level 2
– Completion of ISCED level 2 with direct access to higher ISCED levels: any programmes that give direct access to ISCED level 3 regardless of their duration at the level or their cumulative duration since the start of ISCED level 1.