In the autumn of 2022, the first newly qualified teachers with a 5-year master's degree will start working in primary and lower secondary school. The purpose of the programme is to provide students with knowledge about research-based school development and increased specialization in central school subjects.
The research project (STEP) follows this generation of teachers through the last academic year and the first two years as teachers by studying:
- what expectations do students and their future colleagues, school leaders and owners have for the newly qualified teachers' mastery of the challenges they face in school?
- how the graduates' professional competence and insight into research valued and used in school?
- what measures can help retain graduates in the profession and be part of a comprehensive strategy for career development and competence enhancement in schools?
- how research-based knowledge can contribute to developing the national framework for mentoring newly qualified teachers.
STEP will develop research- and experience-based knowledge with a view to stimulate debate and contribute to measures that allow graduates to use their competence individually and in the professional community in schools. Data is collected via questionnaire, interview and observation and is analysed and discussed in research circles consisting of researchers, students, graduates, school owners, school leaders, teachers and representatives of the organisations participating in the project.
The project group consists of researchers from the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN), the Arctic University of Norway (UIT) and representatives of the central parties in the education sector; The Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS), Union of Education Norway and their student union Pedagogstudentene.
Podcast on international collaborations
Scientific Articles
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Antonsen Y, Gallavara G, Sandsmark J. and Bjerkholt E. (2026). Equity challenges in a national researcher–practitioner partnership – an insider perspective from Norway. Front. Educ. 11:1867506. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/education/articles/10.3389/feduc.2026.1867506/full
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Helms-Lorenz, M., Heikkinen, H., Plauborg, H., Bjerkholt, E. (2026) Making Sense of European Teacher Induction and Mentoring Practices. Brill, international academic publisher. https://brill.com/display/title/72056?rskey=pCDkbg&result=1
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Antonsen, Y., Toom, A., Ulvik, M., Drageset, O.G., Olsen, K.R., Hjardemaal, F.R., Sæther, K-A. (2024) Research approaches in master-based teacher education preparing student teachers for professional work. Frontiers in education. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1418398
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Antonsen, Y., Aspfors, J., Maxwell, G., (2024) Early career teacher’s role in school development and professional learning. Professional Development in Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/19415257.2024.2306998
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Drageset, O.G., Sæther, K-A., Antonsen, Y., Steele, A.R., Killengreen, S.T., & Unhjem, A (2024) Using Research and Development to establish coherence in teacher education. In Jakhelln, R., Jordet, D. and Hatlevik, I.K.R. Transforming University-based Teacher Education through Innovation. A Norwegian Response to Research Literacy, Integration and Technology. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781032693798-8
- Skytterstad, R., Antonsen, Y., & Stenseth, A.-M. (2024). Remediating deficits? Problem representations in Norwegian policies for newly qualified teachers. Journal of Education Policy, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/02680939.2024.2380761
- Skytterstad, R., Antonsen, Y., Aspfors, J. and Heikkinen, H. L. T. (2025) Reframing New Teacher Induction: Opportunities Over Deficiencies. Teacher and teacher education. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2024.104910
- Sæther, K-A, Antonsen, Y., & Drageset, O.G. (2024) Relevance of the master’s thesis for becoming a professional teacher. In Jakhelln, R., Jordet, D. and Hatlevik, I.K.R. Transforming University-based Teacher Education through Innovation. A Norwegian Response to Research Literacy, Integration and Technology. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781032693798-9

