Exploring the Impact of School-Level Decision-Making on the Outcomes of Learning Support and Special Education in Finland

EXILE project aims to investigate optimal teaching strategies for students with special needs by examining school operating models and class composition factors. EXILE consists of three interlinked work packages. WP1 continues the analysis of data from the INCLUSIVE academy consortium using a quasi-experimental methodology to assess the impact of class composition and contextual factors on student outcomes. WP2 focuses on modelling school-level decision-making practices related to placement and grouping procedures for students with SEN under the new legislation. WP3 consists of project management and dissemination. EXILE project aims to fill gaps in existing research by using quantitative methods, large sample sizes, and a longitudinal design combined with qualitative data from selected schools. The findings will provide empirical evidence on the impact of different placement strategies on student outcomes on a national scale.