Background and the purpose of this study: In Finland, the number of young pupils who became demotivated at school increased greatly during the period 1994-2006 (Konu & Lintonen 2006).  In order to support these pupils, the Finnish Ministry of Education launched a national Strategy of School Well-Being (2006-2011; called flexible basic education programme [JOPO]), concerning the lower secondary level pupils as well as their parents, teachers, and schools. The strategy involves the development of action-based learning methods and on-the-job forms of learning, interprofessional collaboration at schools as well as new ways to support adolescents and their families.  In Finland, these pupils study in groups organised for them. The teacher works together with at least one mentor (youth worker; social worker) and the local student welfare team. Moreover, the interprofessional team supports the school personnel at this point. In spite of the national guidelines, the JOPO programme has been organised and realised in different ways in different communities  (Manninen & Luukannel 2008).

The purpose of this study is to describe the various models developed in different communities within the JOPO programme. The second purpose is to evaluate how successful these different models have been in reaching the aims of the programme and how the schools have organised their operations to increase school motivation among the pupils involved. The framework of this study has been adapted from an approach of a quality framework and implementation tools to upscale these teams in secondary education (van Veen 2004, 2007, 2008.)

Konu, A. & Lintonen, T. 2006. Theory-based survey analysis of well-being in secondary schools in Finland. Health Education Research 21 (5), 633-642. Manninen, J. & Luukannel, S. 2008. Flexible basic education. Impact analysis (JOPO-toiminnan vaikuttavuuden arviointi). Helsinki: Ministry of Education. Publications of the Ministry of Education 36. van Veen A.F.D. & van der Steenhoven, P. 2008. Rebound programmes in secondary education. Utrecht: Netherlands Youth Institute.