Fluctuating high school dropout rates observed in Quebec schools
Highschool dropout rates have been a hot topic recently, with the Minister of Education, Bernard Drainville, revealing that a regular student is three times more likely to drop out than one enrolled in a special pedagogical project (PPP). According to data, the dropout rate among public high school students is on the rise, reaching 16.9% during the 2023-2024 school year, compared to 15.1% and 16.3% in the previous years.
However, the dropout rate amongst students following a PPP is significantly lower, standing at 6.1% for students enrolled in selective programs and 7.8% for those in non-selective programs. This leads to an estimated dropout rate of around 24% for students on the regular path. Minister Drainville sees this difference as "excellent news" and attributes it to the motivation and engagement provided by these special projects, which his government has funded to increase their accessibility within the school network.
Critics argue that limited access to PPPs, due to costs or selection criteria, can contribute to this success, as students with more privileges are usually encouraged to join. To address this issue, Solidarity MP Sol Zanetti called for the creation of PPPs that are inclusive and accessible to everyone, without selection criteria, which, in his opinion, would promote a positive impact on overall student success.
A professor at the University of Montreal, Mélanie Paré, warns against overlooking the consequences of this filtering and the importance of providing better specialized support and tutoring for struggling students, not just a specific pedagogical project. According to a professor, students in difficulty are generally not encouraged to enroll in such programs, being recommended for higher-performing students.
All in all, while PPPs may contribute to lower dropout rates through engagement and support, it's essential to ensure accessibility to all students and address their diverse learning needs to achieve optimal results. It's also vital to provide socio-emotional and academic support to students facing personal challenges to help them stay in school.
- Despite the Minister of Education, Bernard Drainville, seeing a lower dropout rate in students enrolled in Pedagogical Projects (PPP) as "excellent news," critics argue that limited access to these programs can disadvantage students who might lack privileges, such as those with financial constraints or not meeting selection criteria.
- In an attempt to address this issue, Solidarity MP Sol Zanetti has proposed the creation of PPPs that are inclusive and accessible to all students, without any selection criteria, believing this move would positively impact overall student success.
- Mélanie Paré, a professor at the University of Montreal, suggests that while PPPs may contribute to lower dropout rates through engagement and support, it is equally important to provide better specialized support and tutoring for struggling students, instead of solely relying on a specific pedagogical project.
- The year 2025 approaches, and the discussion on dropout rates in French education and self-development continues, with a focus on making education more equitable and accessible for all students, considering the diverse learning needs of each individual and the importance of providing socio-emotional and academic support where needed.
