ABSTRACT
Toward the end of this century there is a series of well-known strategies (principles, initiatives, and proposals) applied in trying to prevent repetition and dropout. Some of them are firmly established and others are controversial. But one of the main conclusions, after studying many school systems, is that there is not a single recipe or prescription that can be applied to all countries. Another principle that must be followed is that in order to achieve at least some success in the struggle against those problems, not a single prescription but a real strategy including some fundamental lines of action must be adopted. The problem is hard to solve because in addition, the factors associated with repetition have a different impact or vary in nature depending on whether we are considering the first grades or the last ones at elementary school level.
