Dropout at the intermediate level of education in Argentina. Calculation of dropout rates and identification of some associated factors

Abstract

In this paper the Argentina's secondary school drop out is studied throughtwo aspects: the estimation of the drop out rates by regions, sex and years,and the identification, by applying a mathematic model, of some factorsthat are significant to explain the likelihood of an student leaves schoolbefore finishing his studies. The data used to perform the estimations weretaken outside the educational system, since they were provided by theHousehold Survey (and its Education Module) collected in 1998 by theNational Statistic Office. Consistency between results that were obtainedby using estimations based on Household Survey information and theindicators produced by the educational system, was acceptable, and, inaddition, the former had the advantage of allowing to add other socioeconomicvariables useful for the analysis. Results revealed that the dropout rate decreased up to the middle of the 60' decade, and then began anincreasing trend that became heavy from the beginning of the 80' decade.They also have showed that rates differ significantly as differences betweensex, and country regions were introduced. The applied logistic modelallowed to select some risk variables that account for the probability ofdrop out. They were: vocation for studying, need to work, the student ageat the moment of accessing to the secondary school, to repeat in primarylevel, type of secondary school, and sex.