Interprofessional teamwork to support inclusive education

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 3:45 pm - Gold 2
  In Roundtable Session: Collaborative Approaches for Inclusive Education

Abstract

This qualitative case study examines how a comprehensive school in Iceland restructured its internal organization to strengthen interprofessional collaboration in support of inclusive education. Grounded in Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) and relational agency theory, the study explores how interprofessional collaboration is supported within the school and how it contributes to inclusive practice. Data from 21 interviews reveal how reframing professional roles, fostering stable team structures, and using shared tools support inclusive practices. Also, structural challenges—such as limited access to digital tools and time constraints—create tensions that hinder collaboration. The findings offer theoretical and practical insights into how schools can reorganize their internal structures to promote equity, distributed expertise, and sustained, collaborative responsibility for all learners.

Author

• Edda Óskarsdóttir, University of Iceland