Acción tutorial en la transición del alumnado de las escuelas del medio rural a la educación secundaria / TUTORIAL ACTION IN THE TRANSITION OF THE STUDENTS OF THE RURAL SCHOOLS TO SECONDARY EDUCATION

Abstract

This paper is focused on part of a wider research in which students' transition from rural primary school to secondary high schools was analyzed. The research identified aspects that facilitated or complicated the transfer to the new school. Tutorial action was one of the studied aspects because it was considered a relevant element. Tutorial´s objective is improving the education process through actions oriented towards facilitating students’ school life, taking into account both academic and personal aspects, all of them interacting in their learning process. Data collection was based on two case studies: 16 focus groups were made with students, teachers and families in two rural schools and their referential high schools. Findings describe the educational tutorial action during transition, its organization, the coordinated work, and specific actions made by tutors with students, families and teachers; and show certain differentiating features associated to the education context in each educational stage. Conclusions insist on the importance of coordination between schools and the necessity of taking care, especially during transition, of the socialization of students coming from rural areas. Furthermore, conclusions suggest that it is recommendable including transitional actions directed to facilitate the approach and introduction of families to the high school´s institutional body