The research project focuses on the issue of early dropout from higher education in Slovenia. The project aims to understand and address thisproblem by analyzing the causes of student dropout and formulating measures to reduce this phenomenon. Student dropout has numerous negativeconsequences for the students themselves, higher education institutions, the economy, and society, such as incomplete education, reduced workforce competitiveness, and loss of financial resources for higher education.
Understanding the factors that influence student dropout and developing measures to reduce it are vital challenges not only for higher education institutions but for the entire higher education system. Numerous previous studies have revealed that student dropout is a complex phenomenon, occurring for various reasons and depending on a combination of national, institutional, and individual factors. Insufficient academic preparedness, financial difficulties, lack of social support, inadequate guidance and counselling, as well as personal challenges such as physical or mental healthissues, all contribute to dropout. These factors can intersect and mutually influence each other, further increasing the risk of dropout.
Lead partner
International School for Social and Business studies
Project Manager
doc. dr. Vesna Skrbinjek
Project partners
prof. dr. Dušan Lesjak (UP FM)
doc. dr. Borut Kodrič (UP FM)
Project number
V5-2360
Duration
1. 10. 2023 - 30. 9. 2024
The project's objectives
1. Study relevant foreign and domestic literature on the topic of student dropout and review possible causes from foreign reports and normative acts on student dropout at the European level.
2. Investigate the effectiveness of existing strategies for reducing dropout rates and assess their suitability in the Slovenian context.
3. Development of a methodology for monitoring student dropout throughout the academic year, determination of indicators and data collection approaches.
4. Systematic collection and editing of data from official records (eVŠ, SURS) and creation of databases for further data processing.
5. The use of quantitative and qualitative research methods for the analysis of dropouts at the 1st and 2nd level of study in the period 2012-2022 and according to the field of study.
6. Defining the characteristics of groups of students based on the findings of dropout characteristics - i.e. students who drop out of studies at the 1st and 2nd level and the factors that cause it, separately by study level, field of study and also whether it is the first enrollment in a higher education study .
7. Development of measures to reduce dropout, which would cover the topic of appropriate choice of study area/programme, application/selection and acceptance process, design of study programs, teaching/learning and mentoring, etc.
8. Study of the consequences of student dropout for the labor market from different perspectives (individual, institutional, economic and social).
Keywords
Student dropout, higher education, student, Slovenia, student, Slovenia, causes, measures, quantitative analysis, qualitative analysis, labor market,policies, success.
Project phases
DP1: Review and synthesis of foreign and domestic relevant literature on student dropouts
DP2: Quantitative analysis of student data
DP3: Formulation of action proposals
DP4: Consequences of student dropout for the labor market
DP5: Dissemination
Bibliographical references
Links
Funding
The project Analysis of drop-out rates in higher education: a review of patterns and trends and proposal of measures to reduce drop-out rates No V5-2360 is co-financed by the Slovenian Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation (ARIS) and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation from the state budget in the amount of EUR 29,019.68.
