New perspectives for inclusive schools
Science and practice working together for better school assistance
The project is investigating so-called infrastructural pool models as a new form of support: school assistants are not only responsible for individual children, but also provide flexible support for all pupils in a class or school // Photo Monkey Business - stock.adobe.com
Against the backdrop of educational challenges and increasing numbers of cases and applications for individual school assistance, the project is investigating so-called infrastructural pool models as a new form of support: school assistants are not only responsible for individual children, but also provide flexible support for all pupils in a class or school. The aim is to better promote inclusive learning and development processes.
Researchers accompany the implementation
The aim of the research project is to work together with schools, local authorities and other practice partners to find out how infrastructural pool models can be successfully transferred on a broad scale. To this end, local authorities and schools that would like to introduce or have already introduced the model will receive scientific support. Well-founded findings should help to ensure that proven approaches are stabilised in practice.
Close cooperation between research and practice is at the centre of the project. Workshops with local authorities, observations in lessons at primary schools and various surveys to ensure quality and effectiveness are planned. The costs will also be closely scrutinised: The aim is to compare the financial impact of pool models compared to the previous individual support of individual children and whether the need for individual school assistance is reduced during the course of implementation.
Further education and training programmes for school assistants
In the project, the researchers are also developing further and advanced training programmes for teachers and school assistants. Among other things, the aim is to find out how different specialists can work together better in everyday school life, deal with challenging situations professionally and support children in their emotional and social development.
In addition, a nationwide network is to be created in which science, local authorities, schools and other stakeholders can exchange ideas. To this end, network meetings are planned in Cologne and Wuppertal throughout the duration of the project. The kick-off event will take place in Cologne on 29 May 2026.
The research project
The University of Wuppertal and the University of Cologne are jointly launching the joint project "teams - Transfer and evidence-based adaptation of infrastructural pool models in the field of school assistance". The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMBFSFJ) and runs from 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2029.
Prof Dr Janka Goldan (Methodology and Didactics in Special Needs Education) and Prof Dr Kerstin Schneider (Finance and Taxation) from the University of Wuppertal and Prof Dr Julia Gorges (Research Methods in Special Needs Education and Rehabilitation) from the University of Cologne are involved in the project.
With "teams", the project partners aim to support local authorities and schools in the evidence-based further development of inclusive support structures and provide practical recommendations for the successful implementation of infrastructural pool models.
