Transfertrinnet

Transfertrinnet, commonly referred to as overgangstrinnet, is a term used in the Norwegian education system to describe the transitional phase between primary and secondary schooling. The aim is to ensure continuity in learning, social development, and assessment as students move from barneskole to ungdomsskole, and to bridge differences in structure and expectations between the levels.

Timing varies by municipality; there is no single national grade designated as the transfer year. In practice, the transition may occur in the last years of barneskole or the first years of ungdomsskole, depending on local organization and needs. The purpose is to give pupils time to adapt to increased autonomy, broader subject choices, and new teaching approaches.

Key objectives include early identification of learning needs, introduction to study skills, guidance with subject choices, and support in social integration. Collaboration with parents and carers is typically emphasized, along with cross-subject planning and individualized or differentiated teaching.

Implementation commonly involves dedicated guidance resources, school teams focusing on transitions, and tailored teaching plans. Assessments continue under normal practices, and there is generally no national exam specific to the transfer year, though progress is monitored to tailor support.

The transfertrinnet concept appears in policy discussions and research on school transitions in Norway and is part of broader reforms in education, alongside terms like barneskole, ungdomsskole and videregående skole. In Norwegian usage, the term is often rendered as overgangstrinnet.