The prediction of the risk of secondary school disengagement:: personal, family and school factors

Research indicates that students at-risk of dropping out of school have learning difficulties, behaviour problems, and come from low income families. It is likely that a high percentage of students at-risk of dropping out of school cannot be identified. The objective of this multidimensional study is to identify personal, familial and schooling variables associated with students at-risk of school dropout. A sample of 235 students at-risk and 567 students not at-risk of dropping out of school were assessed on several personal, family, and schooling variables. At-risk students differentiated themselves from controls and from dropout students on most of the variables. Logistic regression analysis indicated seven factors better classify at-risk students: depression affect, low family cohesion and organisation, low student involvement, negative teacher attitudes, low performance in mathematics and French. Results showed gender differences.