THE PROFESSIONAL ROLE OF SPECIAL NEEDS EDUCATORS IN SWEDEN RELATED TO SPECIAL SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENT OF LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS FOR IMMIGRANT STUDENTS

This chapter is based on a study aimed at deepening our knowledge about SNEs’ work and the development of learning environments in relation to special educational needs (SEN) and special needs education for immigrant students. The study’s result is based on a survey answered by Swedish special needs educators (SNEs). The importance of this research can, for example, be seen through statistics showing difficulties for immigrant students to qualify for upper secondary school in Sweden. The results from the study indicate that SNEs are somewhat detached from the direct work with these students. Instead, SNEs devote time to administration and supervision. Direct support is provided by tutors in the students’ mother tongue, class and subject teachers. When SNEs describe developments of learning environments for immigrant students at their schools, small groups and individual teaching for language learning appear to exist in parallel with general solutions (i.e., “one size fits all” approach). The chapter questions the extent to which the Nordic model, characterized by an ambition to create democratic learning environments, provides equal opportunities for all learners and creates inclusive schools.