Dynamics of Inclusion in School: A Study in Italy

The paper focuses on the dynamics of inclusion and coexistence in School between Italian and foreign students, a particularly relevant topic in Italy. The data provided by the Department of Education in 2011 and for the past 15 years show, in fact, that from 1996/1997 to 2010/2011 foreign students have increased from 0.7% to 7.9 % of the total number of students. The increased presence of migrant students in the schools of our country, however, does not automatically imply a change in the reciprocal representations of "foreign": the only Contact (simply sharing the same living spaces) is not sufficient to reduce the level of stereotype and prejudice and to promote inclusion. The study examines which other factors could influence inclusion by creating a typological index aimed at observing students\u27 attitudes towards diversity/similarity, homogeneity/heterogeneity. Furthermore, Index is correlated with various social-demographic characteristics of the individuals involved and their families