EDUCATIONAL QUALITY AND ATTENTION TO DIVERSITY: AN INITIATIVE APPROACH

Attention to diversity can be regarded as the set of measures and actions that aim to adapt the educational response to the different characteristics and needs, rhythms and learning styles, motivations, interests and social and cultural backgrounds of all students. Therefore, it aims to achieve equitable and quality education, within the principles of inclusive and individualized educational intervention.
In this context it is included an initiative developed in Galicia, called "Program-Contracts" (Contratos-Programa), one of the measures that seek the attention to diversity, while representing a commitment to pedagogical autonomy and for the organization and management of schools in the pursuit of improving the quality of education.
Following the designation of program contracts they are included different programs that have been developed in primary schools and secondary schools of the Autonomous Community of Galicia in order to achieve quality education for all students, develop their abilities, pursue excellence and ultimately contribute to improving the quality of the educational system.
To prepare these programs the school centre should analyze their strengths and weaknesses and propose specific measures of performance, so that the program is prepared to respond to the real needs and interests of the participants.
The programs must relate to one or more of the following themes: (1) Reinforcement, guidance and support; (2) Improvement of reading, writing and calculation; (3) Improvement of school life; (4) Reduction in early school leaving; and finally, (5) Enhanced level of knowledge to achieve excellence.
In this context, the aim of this paper is to approach the initiative of “Program-Contracts” in Galicia since its introduction by Resolution of May 26, 2011 (DOG, 10/06/2011).