Secondary students at risk of low educational attainment : causes and responses

Abstract

This study aims to define the term ‘at risk of low educational attainment’ and to determine how it is perceived in Malta. Educational attainment, especially amongst young people, is a factor of utmost importance to economic and social integration. Therefore, low educational attainment or educational failure, can result in social exclusion. In order to reduce the number of children and young people failing in their educational journey, there is a trend to attempt to better understand the causes of such 'failure' as well as to provide possible solutions. In order to stem this problem, one must primarily identify who these young people at risk of failing in their educational process. This small-scale qualitative study was conducted amongst a particular segment of secondary students at risk of educational failure, together with one of their parents, who attend the 'Nwar' programme. The ‘Nwar’ Programme is a family literacy programme of the foundation for Educational Services that targets children and young people at risk of educational failure and their parents. Three experts in the field of educational attainment were also interviewed. These interviews were intended to give an in-depth picture of some of the casual factors of low educational attainment in Malta. The idea of gathering information and building databases of information regarding such field, was highlighted by the European Education Research Association (EERA) during a network meeting held in Malta between the 25th and 27th March 1999. Such information will be useful for policy makers in developing solutions which are oriented to the Maltese context. This study also highlights several effective responses for low educational attainment and identifies opportunities for learning support.