Abstract

DIAZ LOPEZ, Karla María  and  OSUNA LEVER, Cecilia. Social/family context for high school dropouts. A case study. Perfiles educativos [online]. 2017, vol.39, n.158, pp.70-90. ISSN 0185-2698.

In Mexico, students dropping out of school is one of the most serious socioeducational problems. The research reported here identified the influence from the social/family context on this phenomenon. The study was conducted between 2013 and 2015 at the State Schools of Scientific and Technological Studies (Colegios de Estudios Científicos y Tecnológicos del Estado- CECYTE) located in marginalized areas of the three most populated cities in Baja California (Mexico). A mixed (qualitative-quantitative) methodological approach was used, and the perceptions of 40 key informants in the areas studied were interpreted. The qualitative results oriented the quantitative study, which investigated social/family variables from the perspective of a sampling of 107 young people who had dropped out of school and their parents. Results pointed to the importance of support and supervision for school homework and guidelines for communication. It is thus recommended that educational institutions implement strategies targeting the family context.

Keywords : Dropping out of school; High school; Cultural capital; Family support for school homework; Family life.