Systematic quality development : A demand at odds with the everyday complexity of teachers' work?

This article aims to analyse the conditions experienced by teachers and other school staff members in their work with systematic quality development within the everyday complexity of work at school. The method consists of research circles, a form of researcher-led discussion, together with teachers, principals and other school staff, held at the schools. The research circles are part of a research- and development programme concerning newly arrived pupils, in collaboration with an institute and a municipality in Sweden. The focus of the research circles is to identify areas in need of development, make tacit knowledge visible and promote knowledge development. During the course of the programme, a number of obstacles to development work arose, which led us to an analysis of the recurring problems and demands of systematic quality development. The analysis points to the different rhythms of fast-paced everyday work on the one hand, and slow-paced development work on the other. In conclusion, we emphasise the need for time for reflection, organisational structures that support development, and finally the need to develop competence in reflective practices regarding development, an addition to the competence in reflective practice on teaching, in which the staff are already skilled