Proceedings of the 7th International Academic Conference on Education, Teaching and Learning
Year: 2024
DOI:
[PDF]
Collaboration between School-Age Educare and School in Sweden: Teachers’ Perspectives on Collaborating to Support Pupils with Special Needs
Marcia Håkansson Lindqvist, and Jeanette Stenvall
ABSTRACT:
Regardless of their circumstances and background, all pupils need to develop and be challenged in school and in school-age educare. In the Swedish context, school-age educare involves both education and care directed towards children in the early school-age and in leisure-time centres. However, research shows that pupils in leisure-time centres do not always have the opportunity to develop and be challenged. This is especially true for pupils with special needs. The aim of this study is to explore and analyse the collaboration between school age educare and school regarding pupils with special needs from the perspectives of school age educare and classroom teachers. Using semi-structured interviews, school age educare teachers and classroom teachers were asked how they they experience the collaboration between leisure-time centres and schools for supporting pupils with special needs. The data materials were analyzed using thematic analysis. Both school age educare teachers and classroom teachers see challenges in time and resources to inform each other, plan teaching initiatives and activities for supporting pupils with special needs, and for documentation. Possibilities are seen in regard to offering pupils alternative ways of learning, supporting pupils in after-school activities and creating a whole-day approach for pupils. According to the teachers in this study, possibilities for creating conditions for pupils’ participation can be seen in closer collaboration between class teachers and school-age educare teachers, efficient use of competences among teachers and further processional development. These conditions may promote school-age educare and classroom teachers’ work to support pupils with special needs.
keywords: extended education, leisure-time centres, students, student support, whole-day approach