School-Based Project Integrating Research and Practice: The Importance of Continuous Negotiation

• In Event: 44.037 - Achieving the Promise of Equal Educational Opportunity by Evaluation and Research in Schools

Abstract

The assumption of this study is that evaluation and research in schools for creating equal educational opportunities requires an approach where research and practice are integrated. Research in schools has been a major concern in Swedish schools since the reformation of the School Law in 2010 proclaiming that education shall be based on a scientific basis and proven experience. This study reports from a project with 38 school leaders in a Swedish municipality. The aim is to contribute to the knowledge on how to build school-based research projects to improve professional learning. The project group manifested itself as a prolongation of this negotiation with an important function to evaluate and invent new structures. The relationship between researchers and practitioners and the continuous negotiation of what social and material activities to accomplish are paramount for professional learning. The result is significant for preparation and planning of school-based projects integrating research and practice while it stresses the importance of participation of executives as well as practitioners in the entire process.

Authors

• Ulf Blossing, University of Gothenburg

• Mette Liljenberg, University of Gothenburg