The Bioecological Model as a Perspective to Interpret Foreign-born Students' Early School Leaving: a Multifactorial Approach

Abstract

This article examines the theoretical implications associated with the study of the phenomenon of early school leaving amongst foreign-born students. Its aim to provide an overview of a theoretical framework able to describe and capture the different factors involved in this complex problem. This paper begins with a description of the phenomenon of early school leaving amongst foreign-born students, while the second part the article outlines the theoretical framework underlying the study of school dropout, according to a systemic and bioecological perspective of development. Here, different dimensions are analyzed, referring in particular to the ecological model as proposed by Bronfenbrenner (1995): time, interactional, personal, social and cultural dimensions are discussed. Drawing on a systemic, multifactorial, analytical approach, this reflection deepens the understanding of how different factors influence the academic pathways of foreign-born students, causing irregularity in the course of their studies and raising the risk of leaving school early.

Keywords

• early school leaving
• bioecological model
• foreign-born student
• multifactorial analytical approach
• protective factors