Tuettu 2

Tuettu 2 is a research project conducted by a consortium of the University of Helsinki and Tampere University.
It investigates inclusion from the perspective of student placement.
What is it about?

Tuettu 2 consists of two main work packages. Work Package 1 continues the analysis of longitudinal data collected in the Tuettu study by investigating the class-level effects on students’ cognitive competences and attitudes toward learning and schooling. Work Package 2 focuses on modeling schools’ decision-making practices regarding the grouping of students with special educational needs, in accordance with the new legislation. This work package identifies schools whose practices will be modeled in more depth using qualitative data.

The aim of this research project is to increase knowledge about inclusion from the perspective of all students. The project will also provide empirical evidence on the impact of different school-level practices on learning outcomes at the national level.
Goals

The aim is to study

  1. How the class placement of students receiving special support – general education class or special class – affects their performance in cognitive tasks and attitudes toward learning?
  2. How the placement of students receiving special support in general education classes affects the performance of other students in cognitive tasks and attitudes towards learning?
  3. How the class composition affects students' cognitive performance and attitudes and beliefs related to learning and schooling?
  4. How are municipal and school-level factors related to learning support – such as resources – associated with students’ learning outcomes?
  5. How do school-level decision-making processes manifest in promoting inclusion and implementing learning and schooling support?
Data

In Work Package 1, a national sample of the same students was followed from grade 4 to grade 6 during the spring terms of 2022–2024. Students completed cognitive tasks and responded to scales measuring attitudes towards learning and school. Principal and teacher surveys were also collected. In addition, school-level data were collected from Statistics Finland and the municipalities.

In Work Package 2, school-level data will be collected in 2027–2028 through focus group interviews with teaching staff and by organizing workshops.
Research Ethics and Data Protection

The research has received a statement from the University of Helsinki's Ethics Committee for the Human Sciences (17.5.2021) as a demonstration of commitment to research ethics.

The Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) of the study has been approved by the Tampere University on 27 August 2021. concerning the data in Work Package 1
Funding

The research is funded by the Research Council of Finland (01.09.2025–31.08.2029).
Publications

Lintuvuori, M., Hienonen, N., Kilpi, N., Oinas, S., Asikainen, M., & Jahnukainen, M. (2024). Erityistä tukea saavien oppilaiden osaaminen tuen eri toteutuspaikoissa yleisopetuksesta erityisluokkaan. Kasvatus, 55(5), 473–490.

Contact persons and research group

University Researcher Meri Lintuvuori
Centre for Educational Assessment CEA
University of Helsinki

+358 29 412 0404

PI, Professor Markku Jahnukainen
University of Helsinki

+358 29 4144122

Co-PI, Professor Mari-Pauliina Vainikainen

Tampere University

+358 50 437 7303

University Lecturer Ninja Hienonen
Research Centre for Education, Assessment, and Learning
Tampere University
 

Researcher Nestori Kilpi
Research Centre for Education, Assessment, and Learning
Tampere University
 

Programmer Mikko Asikainen
Centre for Educational Assessment CEA
University of Helsinki