Protocol: Prevention, Intervention, and Compensation Programs to Tackle School Dropout: An Evidence and Gap Map

Area of Science:

• Educational Policy
• Sociology of Education
• Program Evaluation

Background:

• Student dropout before secondary education completion is a global issue with severe individual and societal impacts.
• Existing terms like Early School Leaving (ESL) and Early Leaving from Education and Training (ELET) highlight diverse policy viewpoints.
• A comprehensive review of evidence and research gaps in school dropout programs is currently lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review evidence on programs designed to reduce school dropout and improve intermediate outcomes.
• To categorize interventions into prevention, intervention, and compensation domains based on European Council Recommendations.
• To provide decision-makers and program developers with an overview of research evidence and identify critical research gaps.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review and Evidence and Gap Map (EGM) methodology.
• Categorization of interventions based on the 2011 European Council Recommendations (prevention, intervention, compensation).
• Analysis of programs targeting school dropout and intermediate outcomes like educational performance and attendance.

Main Results:

• The Evidence and Gap Map (EGM) systematically maps existing research on school dropout interventions.
• Identifies areas with strong evidence and highlights significant research gaps in the field.
• Provides an overview of program effectiveness for various intervention types.

Conclusions:

• The EGM offers valuable insights for policymakers and program developers to guide efforts in reducing school dropout.
• Pinpointing research gaps will direct future investigations to enhance understanding and effectiveness of dropout programs.
• Evidence-based strategies are crucial for addressing the complex issue of early school leaving.