Evaluating the risks of school dropout amongst children in the care of the French child protection system: An exploratory study

Abstract

The aim of this pilot study is to identify the best way of preventing and assessing the livelihood and risk of school dropout amongst children entrusted to the care of the French child protection system in the Département of Rhone. The sample comprised 91 children and adolescents aged 4- to 17-years-old, of whom 45 were girls. The data were gathered using a unique report including the items evaluating sociodemographic data and the School Dropout Risk Evaluation Questionnaire. The results show that the older these children get, the more they see their academic problems as revolving around themselves. The youngest amongst them attribute their problems to the quality of approach adopted in the environment while the older children tend to view themselves as the reason for their failure. Collaborative efforts are therefore necessary between all actors in order to prevent school dropout and to provide intervention as early as possible.