The Kurator Model in Denmark

Issue title: Transition from School to Work

Subtitle: A Study of Transition From School to Work and Working Life for Young Disabled People, and Coordination of Services

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Boyd-Kjellen, Gia | Bartholin, Jens

Affiliations: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Uppsala, Sweden | Ministry of Education, Copenhagen, Denmark

Abstract: This article describes a system used in Denmark for dealing with pupils with special needs at their transitional stage of education. The kurator, usually a special teacher in the Danish elementary school, coordinates services and case manages disabled pupils from the 8th through 10th grades. Transition is a difficult time for individuals with disabilities and their families. The kurator helps ease the process by providing vocational and educational orientation for pupils and assisting them upon leaving school by contacting other agencies necessary to aid in the transition process. The kurator is available for students up to 19 years of age, but many former pupils continue to contact their kurator after this. From available research it is clear that having a kurator is immensely valuable for students with disabilities. With the help of a kurator, they art better able to pursue education and work after leaving high school.

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-1991-1410

Journal: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 1, no. 4, pp. 91-99, 1991