Aspiration-achievement paradox of immigrant-origin youth in Finland at the end of comprehensive education

Abstract. This literature review aims to look at the aspiration-achievement paradox of immigrant-origin youth at the end of comprehensive education, both in the international and Finnish context. Transition to post-comprehensive education is a high-stakes situation and one in which immigrant-origin youth often lag behind their native counterparts with their facilities and resources. Widespread research has shown that despite low educational achievement, immigrant-origin youth as well as their parents possess high educational aspirations. In the case of Finland, the gap in academic achievement between native and immigrant students in at the age of 15 is one of the largest in the OECD countries despite available educational opportunities. Immigrant-origin youth and their families are hindered by factors that make it unable for them to utilize these opportunities and achieve positive educational outcomes. Based on previous multidisciplinary literature, this thesis sets out to find the possible causes that have been outlined in relation to this phenomenon