I pedagogikens gråzon : En kvalitativ studie om elevresursens yrkesroll

Sammanfattning: The demand for student support personnel (teaching assistants) in schools is increasing. Yet there is still a lack of a clear description of what the profession really entails. This study investigates the professional role of teaching assistants working with younger pupils using profession theory. The study aims to clarify the perceptions of teaching assistants through interviews regarding: (1) the areas of work that characterize the profession, (2) the autonomy gained by teaching assistants, and 3) the conditions offered to develop their professional role.  The interviews are analyzed through thematic analysis and identify five commonly occurring areas of work. These are (1) to establishing safe relationships; (2) to implement educational adjustments; (3) to provide support; (4) to manage disruptive behaviors, and (5) to work in areas that extend beyond student-specific tasks. These are summarized in the discussion as three themes: Teaching assistants dealing with behaviors deviating from the norm, teaching, and again, areas of work that are not student specific. The results also show variation in how teaching assistants work with these different areas. The autonomy of teaching assistants extends to areas involving the specific student, and the conditions offered by the workplace were found to be inadequate for their development.  The conclusions of the study highlight that the working situation of teaching assistants is not sustainable, making the profession unpopular and causing a high turnover among employees. Therefore, a change is needed for the role of teaching assistants if they are to be used to create equal opportunities for all students to participate in regular education.