Paradigmatical shift in the study of completion efficiency and school dropout: State of knowledge

Abstract

This study shows a literature review on the concepts of terminal efficiency and school dropout, highlighting the main contributions and findings that were retrieved from the analysis of the scientific articles found. For the selection of the documents, a time period was considered from 2010 to 2022. They were analyzed under a qualitative-documentary approach, organized in four dimensions: methodological perspectives, techniques implemented for data collection; the analysis of found articles; as well the methodological trends in the study of the topic. From the search of the various databases, 29 publications were obtained, the predominance of the quantitative approach to address the issue and the use of a discourse that holds students responsible for the temporary or permanent suspension of their training was identified, while the results of the investigations that use an alternative approach indicate the relationship of the actions of educational institutions with the quality of education, permanence and the successful completion of educational programs. From the above, it is concluded that it is necessary to carry out studies that use alternative research approaches, as well as to delve into the relationship of institutional actions with school dropout and terminal efficiency to propose solutions that are more closely related to the context and can be implemented in the short term.