Since the 1960s, an education for every child, based on democratic values, has been a major objective of Swedish
educational policy. School should "promote all children's and pupils’ learning and development” and "communicate
and establish respect for the fundamental values of democracy the Swedish society is based on" (Education Act,
2010). In spite of these efforts, children’s gender, social and cultural background still affects their educational
progress. This is confirmed by research (i.e.Björnsson, 2005; Wernersson, 2006), and referred to in state documents
based on statistics (i.e.SOU:2010:99, 2010). A growing body of international research is currently highlighting
changes in western societies and educational policy that emphasize the importance of the democratic rights of