Specialised education in French-speaking Switzerland: an analysis of the main reasons for the placement of these students

Thesis

The over-representation of students from minority backgrounds has been a subject of study since the 1970s. In Switzerland, few studies have used quantitative data to demonstrate this over-representation, and few studies have given a voice to teachers and parents of students. This study could contribute to understanding the phenomenon of the over-representation of students of foreign nationality in Switzerland and in the canton of Geneva. Quantitative data on students placed in special education in the canton of Geneva were used. Chi-square tests were used to test whether there was an association between the student's nationality and his or her placement in special education, to test whether there was an association between the student's nationality and the presence or absence of a diagnosis. A Monte Carlo test was also used to investigate what was the main reason for placement in special education without a diagnosis in the canton of Geneva. Finally, a thematic analysis was used to give greater depth to the quantitative data. Students of foreign nationality were over-represented in special education in Switzerland and in the canton of Geneva. In the canton of Geneva, students of African nationality were more over-represented than students of other origins. No single reason for placement was significantly more frequently mentioned than others. The thematic analysis indicated that the process of placement in special education in the canton of Geneva was perceived as confusing by parents and teachers. This study contributed to the literature by using quantitative data to demonstrate the over-representation of students of foreign nationality in special education in Switzerland and in the canton of Geneva.

Authors: Nsanzabeza, J

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-qr821bqe6
• Type of award: MSc taught course
• Level of award: Masters
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: qualitative; secondary data analysis; CDE; semi-structured interview; CDE2024; minority backgrounds; quantitative; primary data; minorities; special education; over-representation of students
• Subjects: Minorities; Interviews; Education; Special education; Qualitative research; Quantitative research