The aim of this paper is to discuss merits and demerits of the SSIS (that means: School of Specialization for teaching in Secondary Schools). In this last decade, they represented the way to qualify as a teacher (i.e., to get the "abilitazione"). We review their history, from the beginning to the end, quoting laws and regulations issued in this period. We discussed the relationship between School and University, we deal with general didactics and didactics of sciences, with laboratories and training, as well as other technical aspects. There is a short report also on the national agreement to set up the test to enter the SSIS. The purpose is to help an objective judgement, so that what deserves to be preserved, may remain in the future path to qualify as a teacher.