ABSTRACT
Early School Leaving in the European Union provides an analysis of early school leaving (ESL) in nine European Union countries, with a particular focus on young people who were previously enrolled in educational institutions inside and outside mainstream secondary education. The comparative approach employed by this volume adds to the existing body of knowledge on ESL and develops an understanding of how young people navigate through different educational systems.
Contributors acknowledge the importance of reconstructing educational trajectories from the perspective of the individuals involved and, as a result, the book includes data collected during in-depth interviews, surveys, and insights from educational professionals, policymakers and representatives from civil society organisations. Adopting a classic tripartite approach, which acknowledges the complex nature of ESL, the book addresses individual, institutional and systemic factors. It identifies and analyses the prevention, intervention and compensation measures that can succeed in supporting young people’s attainment, and demonstrates how these can be used to reduce ESL.
This unique book will be highly relevant for academics, researchers and postgraduate students, as well as educational practitioners. Drawing on the insights provided by the authors, the book formulates policy recommendations that should also be of interest for policymakers in European countries and beyond.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part I|60 pages
State of the art and impact of early school leaving across European countries
chapter 2|14 pages
Pathways to early school leaving in Hungary
part II|57 pages
Youngsters’ perspectives on early school leaving and schooling
chapter 5|13 pages
A narrative approach exploring youngsters’ experiences of schooling and leaving school early in Flanders (Belgium)
chapter 6|12 pages
Struggling against the waves or taking another course 1
chapter 7|15 pages
The social relations and educational expectations of young people in marginalised areas
chapter 8|15 pages
What’s school got to do with it?
part III|50 pages
Educational trajectories of youth (at risk of) leaving school early
chapter 9|14 pages
Switching practices in vocational education
chapter 10|15 pages
Educational trajectories of early school leavers in Portugal
chapter 11|19 pages
Neglected aspirations
part IV|63 pages
Strategies to deal with early school leaving