Abstract
The existence of a high university dropout rate in Spain is undeniable. Data shows that approximately one out of five students drop out from college. During the economic expansion period (2001-2007) more students abandoned their studies than during the crisis period (2007-2011). This situation also affects unemployment rates due to the fact that higher education leads to lower unemployment rates. Galicia presented slightly higher dropout rates than Spain from 2006 to 2009; nevertheless during the 2009/2010 academic year this rate was lower. The reasons for dropout can be divided into six distinct factors: psycho educational, evolutionary, family, economic, institutional and social factors. The main drop-out motives are related, among others, to incompatibility with work, economy, university (environment, teachers and difficulties) and so on. According to the BBVA research, the dropout rate imposes a great cost on the entire economy reaching the sum of 5,772 euros per year and per student and exceeding the amount of 1,500 million euros if the student drops out during the first cycle. Due to the urgent need of reducing the dropout rate, the Ministry of Education developed an action plan to increase the number of young people enrolled in a higher education course; so that, consequently, Spain can redirect its economic growth model.
Highlights
Education is one of the five priority objectives in the new European strategy, becoming one of the engines for economic growth and employment
According to the BBVA research, the dropout rate imposes a great cost on the entire economy reaching the sum of 5,772 euros per year and per student and exceeding the amount of 1,500 million euros if the student drops out during the first cycle
Due to the urgent need of reducing the dropout rate, the Ministry of Education developed an action plan to increase the number of young people enrolled in a higher education course; so that, Spain can redirect its economic growth model
Summary
Education is one of the five priority objectives in the new European strategy, becoming one of the engines for economic growth and employment. Several indicators try to study the causes of academic failure in Spain, especially in higher education at universities. Nowadays, this topic acquires an important relevance due to the high dropout rates that should be studied in order to reduce them. From recent years it has been considered important to study other indicators that take into account those students who start but who do not continue their academic career. One of the first definitions of dropout is given in 1982 by Tinto (1982): “a student voluntary drop out is anyone who withdraws from the institution without completing the academic program in which the student was enrolled” During these years, diverse investigations related to dropout rates have been carried out. We will explain the measures implemented in order to face the growth of this worrying rate
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