School transfers in special education: frequency, direction, and timing of transfers between different school settings

Many countries provide multiple school settings for students with special educational needs (SEN), such as inclusive schooling in mainstream school, classes, and schools. However, even though transfers are especially challenging SEN, research on between different (i.e. placements) SEN is scarce. The current study used administrative census data about Switzerland to investigate the frequency, direction, timing of attended by SEN. Results showed a relatively high percentage relative estimated number direction varied setting type. For classes serving moderate schools, into these greatly outnumbered out settings. Transfer peaks were observed at normative transition points (e.g. from kindergarten primary school).