A new source for the study of educational practices: competitive exams for school headteacher positions (Spain, 20th century)

Abstract

[eng] In this article we present a new source for studying school practices in Spain during the 20th century. This source consists of the documents preserved from the competitive public exams for the position of school headteacher. We analyse the exams held in 1932 and under the Francoist regime. Among the elements common to all of them was the requirement that the candidates elaborate a report of their professional life. These reports, along with their supporting documents, provide us with abundant information about 20th century school culture. By presenting a variety of examples of descriptions of school practices from before and after the Civil War we are able to detect continuities in these practices. The article concludes with some explanations for these continuities.