The aim of the educational policy in Catalonia is that Catalan should be the normal language of instruction in schools, with students also becoming proficient in Spanish by the end of their schooling age. The point of departure was the 1978 Decree by means of which Catalan became obligatory in schools. SInce then there has been an increase in Catalan-medium education, with 90 percent of primary school students receiving their education either in Catalan or bilingually in 1989-90.

In the Balearic and Pitius Islands the Linguistic Normalisation Act seeks to allow students to finish their period of compulsory schooling speaking equally well both Spanish and Catalan. Considering Catalan to be the Balearic Island's own, official language, this Act promotes a gradual increase in its use.

In the Valencian Country, the situation of Catalan in education has not traditionally been very strong although, in principle, educational policy also aims to produce bilingual children.

Different school models with diverse linguistic options have been promoted in the three Catalan-speaking autonomous communities considered, ranging from schools of maximum Catalinisation to schools of minimum Catalinisation. These models are designed to meet the linguistic needs in each area and adapt to their specific sociolinguistic situation.