Preventing early school leaving. Perspectives of intervention research between school and territory

This paper presents an exploratory study on the definition of early school leaving (ESL) in Italy. The study involved a desk study utilising keywords in major search engines, complemented by documentation from the Ministry of Education. A thematic analysis of the definitions identified five macro-categories: the definition and characterisation of the issue, risk factors and causes of ESL, economic and social consequences, ESL indicators, and fragmentation of the school system. The study aims to further investigate the strategies implemented in Italy to prevent ESL, with a particular focus on projects developed through collaboration between schools, local authorities, and third-sector organisations.