Improving the education systems' impact on equal opportunities

This chapter looks at the various aspects of the inclusiveness of the Italian education system, from the integration into mainstream schools of children with disabilities according to Law No. 104/1992 to the current legal and policy framework that pays particular attention to children with learning problems, with special educational needs, adopted children and migrant children. It also provides information on an ongoing innovative national project for the schooling of Roma, Gipsy and Travelers children. It also describes the desegregation policies, such as avoiding concentration of disadvantaged children in school settings, the work of support teachers and social-cultural-linguistic mediators and the provisions to help children from a disadvantaged socio-economic background to be able to complete compulsory education. Finally, examples of projects aimed at reducing early school leaving are provided.