Individual and Institutional Factors Contributing to School Dropouts

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the factors contributing to school dropouts in secondary education. A qualitative approach has been adopted in the study and embedded case study design was used. The study group is composed of 30 students leaving the formal secondary school and taking courses in open high school between 2014-2015 educational year, in the province of Sanliurfa, Turkey. Results indicated that the individual factors for school dropout are; physical and psychological problems, failures, changes of the teacher, negative attitudes and values towards the school, incompatible behaviors in the class and the school, absenteeism, school change, and low academic achievement. The institutional factors of dropping out of school can be summarized as the family structure, practices in the family, resources of the family, composition, structure, practices, and resources of the schools, composition of the community and friends.

Keywords

• School, student, teacher, school dropout, secondary education