Orientation as a tool to contrast early school leaving: soft skills and elaboration of self-concept

Abstract

Early school leaving is a complex phenomenon that mostly affects the segment of the student population more vulnerable. For them, the risk of failure and early exit from the learning path is higher than the peers. The school should support these students, trough orientation path addressed to develop skills that can help them to identify future training and professional choices relevant to their personal aspirations. The study aims to explore the point of view of students regarding some factors that may be attributable to the risk of school failure. The results pose a critical reflection on orientation paths, highlighting how school should recognize, in a broad sense, the skills of students and make meaningful for them the learning aspects that can help to improve self-awareness and reflexive abilities.