Transitions

Successful Construction of Transitions: The Management of Transition between School and Vocational or Higher Education.

Project duration: 01/10/2012 - 30/09/2014

Principal investigators: Prof. Dr. Dariuš Zifonun (ASH Berlin), Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Kühnel (HWR Berlin)

Project staff: Dipl. Soz. tech. Lisa-Marian Schmidt

Partners:

• FAA Bildungsgesellschaft mbH, Nord
• LIFE e.V.
• Rudolf-Virchow-Oberschule
• Hector-Peterson Schule
• Handwerkskammer Berlin

Abstract:
The project focuses on the conditions of successful transitions of pupils from school to vocational training or higher education. Schools and other institutions are increasingly faced with the challenge of supporting the skills of students and facilitating their transition into the next phase of learning. In cooperation with different regional partners, we analyse five types of support for such transitions. Using comparative and qualitative research methods, we identify, analyse, and describe the individual and institutional coping strategies which help lead to successful vocational and academic trajectories. The units of analysis include different clients and types of support.

We expect results in:

1.      Identification of knowledge concerning transitions and how it is acquired and transferred

2.      Descriptions of successful transition practices

3.      Development of recommendations for the management of transitions

Funding: Berlin Institute for Applied Research - Institut für angewandte Forschung Berlin (IFAF Berlin)

Key words: Transition School to University/Vocational Training, Transition Space, Transition Management, Preparations for Work Life, Status Passages, Education Research, Sociology of Knowledge