The Framework of Action for Teachers in Integration Classes at Secondary Level on the Example of Reading/Writing Difficulties – A (Re-) Constructionist Educational Research

Background: Reading/writing difficulties are embedded in a broad discourse that is related to dyslexia. Therefore, this discourse serves as the basis for the presented study. Because of the results from the scientific community, one of the questions of this study is of possible interdependencies or differences to the pedagogical discourse of teachers. Teachers in Austria, where the study was conducted, are confronted with those scientific findings. The term reading/writing difficulties in the Austrian context refers to the criticism of the discrepancy criterion and is used there in the pedagogical context. Furthermore, this contribution assumes that teachers construct their framework of action. Linked to this is an epistemological perspective on social constructivism.

Aim: The aim of this piece of research is to reconstruct the framework of action for teachers in integration classes at secondary level. In integration classes in Austria can teach up to three teachers. In this context, the question arises as to how these human resources are used by three teachers (teacher for German, the special education needs teacher and the support teacher) regarding reading/writing difficulties.

Methodology: Methodologically, the work is based on reconstructive social research according to Bohnsack. Associated with this is theory formation from the data material. The narrative-based interviews (n=8) were evaluated using the documentary method. The reconstructed action framework enables a differentiated presentation of the orientations and options for action of teachers in integration classes at secondary level.

Results: In conclusion, different options of action in connection with difficulties in reading/writing are discussed due to the orientation framework. Regarding the question of possible interdependencies or differences to the pedagogical discourse of teachers, the study shows that the statements made by the teachers are only partially compatible with current findings of the scientific discourse.