The LABIRINT project is the third part of the longitudinal study BELIMA, which has been conducted at PHBern since 2015. It focuses on young adults in the Canton of Bern who received various integrative school measures (e.g., support from a special education teacher, reduced individual learning objectives, and accommodations) during their compulsory schooling.   

The key question of the LABIRINT project is: What are the effects of integrative school measures at the primary and lower secondary levels on the further educational and career paths, as well as the socio-emotional development, of affected students in upper secondary education? 

Approximately 1,400 young adults, both with and without integrative measures, who had already participated in the longitudinal study at the primary and/or lower secondary school levels, took part in an online survey in spring 2022. In addition, cantonal data was used to supplement and validate our quantitative data. In spring 2023, in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 selected participants who had received integrative measures during their compulsory schooling and with their matching partners.   

The collected data provide detailed insights into the situation of young adults with special educational needs during and after the transition to upper secondary education. Furthermore, the opportunities and challenges of the vocational education system in terms of supporting these young adults are highlighted.