L’ordinamento didattico universitario “3+2”: una prima analisi dei sorprendenti voti di laurea

The article proposes a descriptive analysis of degree performance at the two degree levels (Laurea triennale – Laurea magistrale) designed in 1999 in the Italian reform of the structure of higher education. The article focuses on three faculties: Economics, Engineering and Sciences. The article finds that performance differs considerable between graduates in the two degree courses. Highly positive results at the second degree level contrast with definitely lower scores at the first degree level. The article argues that these differences cannot be ascribed to the normal progression in degree levels. The article emphasizes two presumable weaknesses: the first is connected with the apparently low capacity for selection within the second level courses; the other is connected with a weak average educational foundation for first level degrees.