Chapter 13: How Different are They?: Students Receiving Learning Assistance in the Classroom in Norwegian Secondary Schools

Enjoying free education from the primary to tertiary level, virtually all children in Norway continue to upper secondary education after 10 years of compulsory school. Special education is offered in Norwegian schools for those students who have difficulties keeping up with others in the classroom in order to reduce the achievement gap and increase completion rates in upper secondary education. However, it has been found that special education in Norway has not met its goals. Using data from the national survey in Norwegian secondary schools (i.e., Young in Norway, 2002) (Rossow & Bø, 2003), this chapter compares ordinary students with those who receive special assistance in classroom. The Norwegian secondary school system in general, and the experience of students receiving special education assistance in particular, is described. Moreover, students’ future education plans and academic achievement and their links with socioeconomic background, students’ relationships with parents, teachers, and peers are explored, applying a linear structure modeling technique.