How can dropout rates from upper secondary school be reduced?
"The main aim of my doctoral thesis is to evaluate how to reduce dropout from the upper secondary school level. I focus particularly on how self-image and students' attitude towards to school is formed during their time in upper secondary schools, as these factors can be imperative for students' commitment to their studies and their chances of graduating.
So says PhD student Heiður Hrund Jónsdóttir on her extremely important research on students' dropout from upper secondary schools, as education is generally considered the key to the competitiveness among nations, improved welfare, and increased quality of life.
"Numerous studies have shown the importance of students' graduating from upper secondary schools. Not only for the general well-being and the future of young people but also for society as a whole. The demand to reduce drop out from the upper secondary school level has been loud for a while now, and the importance of studies focusing on intervention or policy action to reduce it is unequivocal. The subject appealed to me as a sociologist with a teacher certification at the upper secondary school level, and combines my interest and prior knowledge extremely well," says Heiður Hrund.
Vital to educate the nation
As it has been undisputed for some time now that it is vital to reduce dropout rates from upper secondary schools, the study has great social value and the results can be used in a variety of contexts.
"My doctoral thesis focuses on studying how self image and attitude towards school is formed and connected to commitment to studies and dropout," says Heiður Hrund.
"The results will provide information on where policy makers should aim to systematically strengthen self image among students and their attitude towards schools to reduce dropout. The results can be useful within compulsory school and upper secondary schools, as they provide teachers and school administrators with information on the importance of strengthening self image and student commitment and which methods to use to yield results. Furthermore, the results can provide important information on the role the educational system and its structure plays in cultivating and strengthening self image, attitudes towards school, and commitment among students so that their schooling will be successful."
"Numerous studies have shown the importance of students' graduating from upper secondary schools. Not only for the general well-being and the future of young people but also for society as a whole. The demand to reduce drop out from the upper secondary school level has been loud for a while now, and the importance of studies focusing on intervention or policy action to reduce it is unequivocal," says Heiður Hrund.
Development of self image and dedication to studies
Heiður Hrund says that the study shows that schools, course of study and fellow students can impact the development of self image. Students compare their abilities and performance to other students in their environment. "It affects students self image where the situate themselves in the student group with reference to study aptitude," says Heiður Hrund. "Students with strong academic self-image at end of primary school had a weaker one when they had started upper secondary school in schools with traditional academic programmes. Things are, however, reversed among those who went to vocational schools after primary school as their self image grew stronger. I will next study the connection between self image, study commitment and dropout."
Part of an international research network
This is a long-term research project where Heiða Hrund works with data from students at the end of compulsory school and then again four years later.
"My doctoral thesis is a part of a larger research project under the supervision of Kristjana Stella Blöndal. The project is part of an international network of research scientists called International Study of City Youth (ISCY). Kristjana Stella Blöndal has been leading research on the upper secondary school level, student commitment and studies on dropout."
Kristjana Stella is also Heiður Hrund's supervisor in her doctoral thesis with Stefán Hrafn Jónsson, professor of sociology.
"It was thus a unique opportunity to work on my doctoral thesis in order to add to existing knowledge and use this valuable data belonging to ISCY," says Heiður Hrund.
It warrants a mention that Heiður Hrund's project is supported by the Education Research fund hosted by the Icelandic Centre for Research. The fund awards grants for applied research in the fields of preschool, compulsory school, and upper secondary school education, including after-school activities. The aim of the Education Research Fund is to among others to increase opportunities for creating and communicating knowledge that promotes advancement and reform in schooling, and supports the implementation of Education Policy 2030.
