Factors associated with school dropout in upper secondary education: a qualitative analysis.

Abstract

School dropout at the upper secondary level remains a challenge in Mexico with an average dropout rate of 10.92%. This study analyzed the risk and protective factors associated with school persistence and dropout, drawing on the experiences of students who either completed or discontinued their studies. A qualitative methodology was employed, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 20 participants selected through purposive sampling. Data analysis was conducted using deductive coding. The results identified both risk and protective factors. These findings confirm the multifactorial nature of school dropout and support the tenets of Tinto’s theory (1975), demonstrating that school persistence depends on the interaction between personal resources, institutional support, and social support networks.