The current phase is directly linked to the previous phases of the project. Based on the knowledge gained so far, the current phase aims to extend and deepen the initial results of the ZuBAb study.
Firstly, the counsellors, so-called “Talentscouts“, will be examined in more detail. These professionals are crucial to the implementation of the programme and therefore to its effectiveness. Despite their key role, little is known about them in Germany, where, unlike in North America for example, there is no standardised training for counsellors. One aim of the current phase of the project is, therefore, to gain deeper insight into various aspects related to the counsellors, from basic socio-demographic and professional characteristics to how they perceive educational success and equal opportunities, and how this perception is incorporated into their professional identity.
Second, the focus is on investigating the effect of the programme. In the previous funding phases, this was determined at a high methodological level using an experimental research design. However, in the field experiment, not all aspects of the programme corresponded exactly to the real conditions of programme implementation. Therefore, the current funding phase aims to examine the effect of the programme under normal implementation conditions at the population level, i.e. for the entire state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Thirdly, the project will carry out further in-depth analyses of the longitudinal data already collected. This will focus on the most recent waves of the survey to examine the long-term impact of the programme and to explore selected aspects in greater depth.