Push and pull reasons underpinning vulnerable young people’s decisions regarding re-engagement with education and training

• Published in: Children and youth services review Vol. 143; p. 106656
• Main Authors: Portela-Pruaño, A., Rodríguez-Entrena, M.J., Torres-Soto, A., Nieto-Cano, J.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Science Ltd 01-12-2022
• Subjects: Case studies; Continuing education; Demography; Dropping out; Economic factors; Educational programs; Geography; Professional training; Reflexivity; School dropouts; Youth
• ISSN: 0190-7409; 1873-7765
• DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2022.106656

Leaving school early is an issue of global concern and various measures have been taken to help early school leavers return to and re-engage with education and training, including second chance educational programmes. This qualitative case study explores young people's reasons for returning to school and continuing education in a second chance educational programme in a successful educational centre located in Ceuta, a Spanish city that is unique in a number of ways (i.e. geography, demography, economy, culture, etc.), and includes a high dropout rate. Our findings indicate that there is a complex interplay of personal and external (educational, family, and economic) factors pushing and pulling the participants to resume education, but that their agentic reflexivity is key in this process.