Peruskoulun yläasteen eriyttämisratkaisusta sekä opiskelun ja peruskoulutuksen tasoon vaikuttavista tekijöistä = The system of differentiation of teaching in the upper stage of the comprehensive school and factors influencing the level of the study programme

The report describes differentiation from the viewpoint of the curriculum, the social system and decision making. In addition in aims at causal theory formation about the choice of the level of studies and participation in education. The constructed theoretical model is tested by means of path analysis. The data have been collected from 1146 pupils in schools taking part in the first phase on the introduction of the comprehensive school system. The results show that the determinants of courses recommended by the school, then decided on by the pupil and his parents, and actually started in the upper stage are previous school success, verbal-numerical ability, parents' educational expectations, and the pupil's educational goal. Parents' knowledge of differentiation influences the level of chosen and actually started study programme. The level of studies on leaving the comprehensive school is influenced by previous school success, verbal-numerical ability and school motivation.