Journal for Educators, Teachers and Trainers

Abstract

The aim of this survey has been directed towards identifying risk factors that generate youth dropouts from a community perspective. We have analysed in depth the fabric and role of the school in the community as an instrument to address and overcome these factors. The purpose of this research was to discover the conditions that favour the retention of young people at school. From an ethnographic methodology we have analysed a total of 38 interviews with young people at the stage of compulsory secondary education (17 interviews on the academic path to educational access, 14 interviews on continuity with reference to educational difficulties, and 7 interviews on graduation and future expectations) and reviewed relevant documents to assess the problem of early school leavers from a community dimension. In this regard we have identified the risk factors that place these young people outside the compulsory education system and prevent them from staying in the system. The results suggest that the existence of low educational expectations, the lack of mechanisms of support and scholastic guidance need to be tackled jointly by educational centres and community educational organisations as a strategy in order to reduce dropouts. The feedback of young people with low expectations with a community-based educational organization is an essential support to contribute to egress and training