Diversified transitions and educational equality? Negotiating the transitions of young people with immigrant backgrounds and/or special educational needs

Abstract

The focus of this contribution is on the targeted transition practices of career guidance and on the opportunity structures they frame for young people with immigrant backgrounds and/or special educational needs. By analysing curricular documents and interviews with representatives from the local education authorities, such as administrators, principals, guidance counsellors and special education teachers (n = 16), we aim to examine critically the options provided for these groups of young people. We conclude that targeted transition practices do not recognise enough the heterogeneity of young people, and can therefore be limitative and exclusive.

Keywords

• educational transitions
• career counselling and guidance
• opportunity structure
• immigrant background
• special educational needs