A critical review of the literature on school dropout

De Witte, Kristof; Cabus, Sofie; Thyssen, G; Groot, W; Maassen van den Brink, H

doi:10.1016/j.edurev.2013.05.002

A critical review of the literature on school dropout

Author:

De Witte, Kristof

Cabus, Sofie ; Thyssen, G ; Groot, W ; Maassen van den Brink, H

Keywords:

School dropout, Literature review, Determinants, Policy measures, Social Sciences, Education & Educational Research, HIGHER EDUCATION, MODEL, COLLEGE, POLICY, RACE, SEX, AGE, 1301 Education Systems, 1303 Specialist Studies in Education, 3903 Education systems, 3904 Specialist studies in education

Abstract:

This paper reviews the growing literature on early school leaving. We clarify what is at stake with early school leaving, and touch upon underlying problems and methodological issues raised in the literature. The paper investigates the levels, the methods and models with which the topic has been studied, and discusses potential (dis)advantages of each of those. We focus on early school leaving in all its complexity, and on the interplay of relevant (levels of) factors, rather than on just certain factors, typically located in individual students, schools or families. The findings in the literature are discussed and placed into perspective. Finally, a wide set of policy measures are discussed.