engleski

Is there anything specific about early school leaving in Southeast Europe? A review of research and policy

Studies on early school leaving (ESL) from countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia have been missing from the international early school leaving research map. The goal of this research was to review research papers and strategic documents from these countries in an attempt to answer the general question of whether there is anything specific about ESL in this region in comparison to the wider European research and policy context. The aspects of ESL examined include definitions and the extent of ESL, dominant theoretical and methodological approaches, factors identified as impacting ESL as well as policy solutions. It was found that Croatia and Slovenia are among the countries which have the lowest ESL rates in Europe. The most frequent risk factors for ESL identified in the empirical studies and strategic documents were the following: low economic and cultural family background, ethnic minority and migration status, type of school enrolled and motivation and academic achievement. In discussing ESL, the reviewed studies tend to emphasise individual and family characteristics rather than also broader social constraints as ESL determinants, a practice also reflected in policy documents which do not mention the role of broader social and economic conditions shaping early school leaving.

early school leaving; Southeast Europe; risk factors; economic and cultural family background

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