RESL.eu - Reducing Early School Leaving in Europe

EU - European Commission

In Europe Early School Leaving (ESL) affects more than 5.6 million young people between 18 and 24 years of age. This figure implies not only an immense waste of young people's potentials but also serious social and economic consequences: Early School Leavers are at a heightened risk of poor participation in the labour market and of social exclusion over their entire life course.

While the available research data on Early School Leaving explain some of its isolated aspects, the RESL.eu project will analyse the phenomenon from a holistic perspective. By framing the complex and often subtle interplay of factors that influence ESL on macro/meso/micro levels, and by deconstructing the configurations of the various factors in their specific contexts, RESL.eu aims at uncovering specific combinations of variables and the various contexts that influence the processes related to ESL.

In order to be able to compare the data gathered in the project's 9 partner countries (Belgium, United Kingdom, Sweden, Portugal, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Hungary and Austria), RESL.eu will develop and refine the theoretical framework for studying ESL, formulating a workable yet finely nuanced definition of ESL. Through a mixed-method design, a total of 28140 surveys and 1176 interviews/FGD will be conducted.

This allows RESL.eu to formulate conceptual models useful for the development and implementation of general policies and specific measures to combat ESL. Thus the project is not only relevant for the improvement of research tools but also wants to assist policy makers, school staff and civil society at large.