TUTOR Project Marks Milestone with Release of Existing Status Report

A Major Milestone

Since 2022, IGLYO is a proud Consortium partner of the TUTOR Project, a 36-month project aiming to foster inclusivity among teachers and education. The TUTOR project reached a major milestone with the release of its Existing Status Report, signifying a crucial moment in its three-year effort to strengthen inclusive education across Europe. This report is the result of thorough research aimed at fully grasping the current state of the educational system, pinpointing challenges, and uncovering opportunities to improve inclusive practices among teachers and stakeholders.

Project Focus

With a focus on inclusivity, the TUTOR project aims to address the needs of students from marginalised communities, including LGBTQI individuals, ethnic minorities, migrants, and socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. The project conducted research in four national contexts—Austria, Greece, Ireland, Turkey—and one regional study covering the European Union.

Methodology

The Existing Status Report draws on data collected through rigorous methodologies:

• Online Questionnaires: Secondary education teachers and vocational training professionals provided insights into their knowledge, competencies, and training needs related to inclusive education, offering a comprehensive understanding of the educational landscape.
• Focus Groups: Facilitated discussions delved into concepts of inclusive education, intersectionality, and diversity within educational settings, providing valuable qualitative insights.
• Interviews: Semi-structured interviews with teachers and stakeholders enriched the understanding of inclusive education practices, training experiences, and support systems.

Key Recommendations

The report highlights several key recommendations, including:

• Advocating for comprehensive professional development programs covering inclusive practices, intersectionality, and classroom management.
• Integrating technology-driven learning into teacher training to equip educators with digital skills.
• Implementing mentoring and peer support programs linking seasoned educators with newcomers.
• Acknowledging and embracing intersectionality and diverse representation among educational staff and bodies, as well as in curricula and learning materials.
• Recognising the pivotal role of principals in nurturing inclusive cultures and supporting teachers with resilience training to confront biases and facilitate open dialogues.
• Developing systematic monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to measure the effectiveness of teacher training programs, and address gaps in implementation.
• Establishing comprehensive policy frameworks and a whole-school approach to combat bullying, create safe environments, and address discrimination effectively.
• Involving students in decision-making processes and creating democratic classroom spaces.

Concluding Remarks 

The release of the TUTOR project's Existing Status Report marks a significant milestone in the advancement of inclusive education. By identifying both the existing challenges and opportunities, the project sets the stage for future initiatives and the subsequent phases of the project, which strive to establish more inclusive and equitable learning environments for all students.

Led by

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With the support of

The TUTOR project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ project of the European Union Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EACEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.