Back to mainstream : reintegrating students from learning support zones into the mainstream system

Abstract

A substantial number of students in Maltese secondary education experience social, emotional and behavioural difficulties (SEBD) that interfere with their learning and that of peers. In order to help these students to be included more effectively in mainstream classes, Learning Support Zones (LSZ) have been set up which are aimed at offering these students an opportunity to improve their skills and engage more constructively in classroom learning. The LSZ service consists of regular sessions per week over a one-semester period. This study was aimed at describing the process in which the students attending the LSZ can be effectively reintegrated fully into their mainstream class. An action research approach was adopted. Data was collected on how the researcher managed the reintegration of eight students from the LSZ back to full membership of their class. A qualitative analysis of the data identified eight main factors that influenced the successful reintegration of the students. The eight factors are as follows: The coordinators' personal relationship with students, Parental Support, Continuation of support by other teachers, An effective LSZ programme, Preparing Students for the transition; into and out of LSZ, Importance of evaluating students' progress and readiness; into and out of LSZ, Peer support and relationships and Full support from the school SMT. It is recommended that the reintegration programme is given high importance and forms part of the LSZ programme.