The Student and the System? Boundary Crossing in Vocational Education and Training

Project summary

Despite a substantial body of research in risk factors and extensive programs
aiming to reduce dropout in upper secondary school, the dropout rate in
Norway has remained at practically the same level since 1994. Vocational
education and training (VET) has the highest dropout rates, compared with
the program for general studies in upper secondary school. Effect studies
of dropout prevention programs reveal impact of prevention programs
when sufficiently implemented. However, quality in implementation differs
between schools. Few studies have looked into the diversity of students`
educational transition as integrated processes, from both student- and
system level perspectives. Students` transitions can be interpreted as a
boundary crossing between different qualification systems and learning
cultures. The overall aim of this research project is therefore to follow
students in their transitions all the way from lower secondary school, grade
10, through VET and further into the labour market. This study examines
the different boundary crossings at student level, teacher level and system
level, in order to gain new insight into the stages in students` transition
processes and the prerequisites for productive learning and successful
completion of VET. The overall research question is What are the key
elements and VET system interactions in students` successful boundary
crossings from grade 10 through vocational education and training and into
the labour market? A longitudinal design, combined with case studies (mixed
methods) is choosen to answer the question. At sub-level, the design allows
for several within-case studies, and framed by an embedded case approach
and integrated through cross-case analysis. The comprehensive study
consist of three work packages (WP1-3) with separate research questions,
all answering the overall research question.

Method

Mixed-method design

The overall research question is What are the key elements and VET system interactions in students` successful boundary crossings from grade 10 through vocational education and training and into the labour market? We intend to follow a sample of grade 10 students in one county in Norway through VET and into the work force. In a methodological sense, boundary crossing means transition from one learning arena to another through the system and into the labour market. The study consists of three work packages (WP1-3) with separate research questions.