Mind the Gap : en fallstudie om framgångsfaktorer och delaktighet vid övergångar mellan skolmiljöer.

Sammanfattning: Preschool, preschool class and comprehensive school are separate forms of schooling in Sweden. As a consequence, Swedish children experience two transitions between three school forms in little more than a year’s time. The aim of this qualitative study is to provide a better understanding of successful transitions. The study data is based on semi-structured interviews and the sample consists of both teachers and pupils. The study is based on a sociocultural theory with inspiration from Wenger´s model of learning and Wengers-Trayners theory of situated learning and community of practice. All three frameworks´ focus is on the environments importance for the students learning and learning as a process of participation in communities of practice. Results show that the students see themselves as active participants in their own development and learning but they interpret participation differently. The teachers, on the other hand, agreed upon what constitutes learning as well as the content in the education. But when the pupil transit between settings, the teachers do not exchange knowledge, experiences and information about said content, nor successful working methods. Instead, the focus is put on the pupil as an individual. In order to promote continuity for all pupils experiencing transitions between settings, it is important that there is a shared approach between all professionals involved. Here, a teacher with a Postgraduate Diploma in Special Educational Needs could help align practice and bridge the gap.