Hvilke områder er sentrale for forebyggende innsats i ungdomsskolen for å øke gjennomføring av videregående opplæring? : En kvalitativ undersøkelse blant 7 tidligere elever som ikke har gjennomført videregående opplæring

Abstract

Dropout is considered a major social problem in Norway, and approximately 3 out of 10 students do not finish upper secondary school within 5 years. The consequences of dropout are negative for both individuals and society. One of the consequences is that young adults without secondary education may be experiencing difficulties getting in to a labour market that increasingly requires highly-skilled labor. There are many reasons why students drop out of school, and there are no easy solutions. Therefore, a number of studies have been exploring possible causes for drop out in the recent years. Existing research has primarily been aimed at upper secondary school, and few studies have investigated what can be done in lower secondary school to prevent dropouts. The purpose of this study is to explore which areas are key subjects to prevent efforts in the lower secondary school to increase the implementation of higher education. The study is based on the subjective narratives of seven young adults who have not completed upper secondary school, and their descriptions of what may have caused them to drop out of upper secondary school. The study has used qualitative interviews with an emphasis on exploring the stories of the informants, and is inductive in the approach. The informants were questioned about their experiences at the lower secondary school in correlation to their own drop out in upper secondary school. In the interviews, six topics were identified as possible reasons for dropout; relationship with fellow students, bullying at school, the relationship with the teacher, learning outcomes, parenting support and counseling in the lower secondary school. The study proposes that bullying is the most obvious reason for dropout. The findings are discussed in light of Urie Bronfenbrenner's Ecological System Theory of Development (1979). Hence a policy for school leaders in upper secondary school to prevent dropout in upper secondary school is proposed. The policy consists of 5 points and is intended as a possible management tool for school leaders in the lower secondary school. The five points are: Higher presence of adults during break time at school, closer dialogue with the home, change in student view, introduction of a lesson called Students class and strengthening of the advisory service at schools. Key word: Dropout, upper secondary education, lower secondary school, dropout prevention