Abstract:

Based on OECD’s “Education at a Glance 2009” report, the education in Turkey is on the raise. However, it is also specified that still 2/3rds of citizens aged between 25-64 in Turkey do not complete high school while the rate of completion of at least high school is over 60% in the 23 of 29 OECD countries. Hence, as a country, it is apparent that we have a real issue to be tackled in terms of the education span of our citizens.
This study aims to determine the factors impacting educational attainment of students at risk in Hatay, Turkey. The term "at risk" is used to describe students who are "at risk" of failing academically or dropout from the educational system, for one or more of any several reasons. The term can be used to describe a wide variety of students, including ones who belong to ethnic minorities, those who are academically disadvantaged, those who are disabled, and those who are characterized by low socioeconomic status. Three schools in low socioeconomic, minority districts were selected as the sample population. Only 50% of students continue on secondary education after graduating from the selected three schools.
Interviews were conducted with the principals, teachers and families of the students to determine the risk factors. Poverty/Lack of Resources, Lack of Knowledge of the Educational System and Community Resources, Negative Perceptions about Education and its outcomes, Low academic achievement, and Cultural impact were the determined factors. The cultural fabric is weaved in a way that sees girls as future homemakers, moms, and obedient wives. Therefore, it is a general belief that girls do not need further education as they will get married soon and their husbands expect to take over their financial responsibility. Whilst, making investment in the education of girls does not seem to be the first priority of families. Lack of the cultural awareness regarding the importance and outcomes of education and the needed support for students by their families and immediate community for success was another barrier intertwined with the first one identified. Family participation in schooling, knowledge of secondary school options for their children and their outcomes, and knowledge of approaches to help students through the educational processes were scarce. Therefore, the need to orient families in these areas was clear. With the global economic crisis, families in Turkey have less money to invest in long term endeavours. This situation not only impacts the rates of going on to high school and college education but it also impacts the help students get through their primary education in order to become successful in the process early on. As a result, the need to find and generate financial resources, and to direct families in a way to maximize benefiting from them in order to minimize the encountered financial barriers became apparent.
The authors will provide a critical discussion on the determined risk factors, and will discuss implications for transformative and emancipatory possibilities.

Keywords:

Students at risk, educational attainment, school dropouts.