TITLE OF THE PUBLICATION
In search of differentiating features to enhance the performance and expectations of students at risk of educational exclusion
SURNAME AND NAME OF AUTHOR(S)
Fernández Batanero, José María
PUBLISHER
Ministry of Education. Ministry of Education and Vocational Training.
PLACE AND DATE OF PUBLICATION
Madrid,2011
TYPE OF PUBLICATION
Research
LANGUAGE OF THE DOCUMENT
Spanish
LANGUAGE OF THE REVIEW
English
THEMATIC AREA
Identification of students’ at risk
DESCRIPTION OF CONTENTS
This paper puts forward some of the results obtained in a research aimed at identifying educational practices and differentiating variables or elements which significantly enhance the results and expectations of students at risk of educational exclusion. The centre of attention focuses on the programmes or measures that cater for diversity in a Secondary Education school in Seville. The methodological process developed was dual and complementary, being composed of two research phases: one quantitative and the other qualitative. In the quantitative phase, an essentially descriptive study was completed through questionnaires intended for the center’s management team, teachers and pupils. In the qualitative phase, case study is the research methodology applied, using three different techniques for information collection: in-depth interviews with teachers, direct observation in natural situations in the classroom and documentary analysis. The results show that although the problems present in students at risk of educational exclusion are linked to multiple personal, societal and family factors, the school and the way it functions play a very important role, since they can aggravate academic and involvement-related problems of the young people at risk. Among the paper’s conclusions, we emphasize how educational practices based on educational inclusion help to improve results and expectations with these pupils and how good practices are associated with the personal rather than professional commitment of teachers. We finish the paper by focusing the implications in two directions: the first, aimed at promoting major legislative development in the Administration in order to provide schools with and promote inclusive proposals, in addition to a higher degree of autonomy in educational centers. The second is aimed at fostering and promoting the development of comprehensive responses within the framework of the community.
COMMENTS ON THIS PUBLICATION
The material presented is a valuable contribution to knowledge about risk factors truancy, because , among other things, to its empirical character . The paper shows the main conclusions of a wider research on " Students at risk of educational exclusion in compulsory secondary education . Situation , programs and best practices in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia. " One of the main strengths of the article is that provides information on secondary education center that has reduced their levels of failure at the end of compulsory education in the last four years to 27 %, which supports the effectiveness of interventions that develop therein. In addition , it is worth noting that this study shows that , despite the school pupils has a rather negative self ( common this element truant students and school failure ) , their attitudes toward the center , faculty and learning are rather positive . Also, note that teachers believe have positive attitudes towards them , these aspects quite rare in the centers considered " problematic " .
Another aspect to note is the theoretical approach of the article: while much of the research on absenteeism focuses on the analysis of individual aspects , this paper provides an analysis of the factors related to the center as key elements of the problem.
The results of this study are useful and should be taken into account for the planning and implementation of effective strategies . Specifically, it points to the importance in the prevention of school failure , the development of a truly inclusive education , which requires a legislative development that favors such proposals against other based on competition and difference, personal commitment part of teachers and school management , an analysis of the causes of demotivation of students attending the center , adequate teacher training and an educational project committed to diversity .
Name of Compiler
Rosario del Rey
Name of Institution
University of Seville
Role in the institution
Research
