ABSTRACT
Repetition, failure to learn adequately, and dropout in primary school in Chile take place in the context of a school system that has undergone considerable modification during the last twenty years. The school system is divided into preschool education for students from four to six years old, basic education school (eight years), middle school (four years), university (three to seven years) and postgraduate studies. The first enrollment in primary school takes place at six years of age. Students are not required to complete a given number of years of school; instead, they must attend school until they are fourteen years old, and they most frequently leave to enter the work force at that age. University or technical institutes follow secondary school, and three to five years are required to obtain the equivalent of a B.A. (licenciado) degree. Postgraduate studies are available. Approximately 30 percent of secondary students continue their studies, and 2 percent of the licenciados (equivalent to college graduates) continue to study for higher academic degrees.
