Developing the Early Warning System for identification of students at risk of dropping out using a collaborative action research process
Developing the Early Warning System for identification of students at risk of dropping out using a collaborative action research process

Summary/Abstract: The paper presents findings of collaborative action research aimed at exploring and describing the process of developing methodology for identification of students at risk of dropping out. The study has been conducted in collaboration between practitioners from five vocational agriculture and food science schools and research team with expertise in the field of educational psychology. Study employed one cycle of collaborative action research including planning, acting, observing, reflecting and revising phase. During the planning and acting phase, instrument for identification of students at risk of dropping out has been developed and implemented on the sample of 485 first grade students. The collected data has been used for discussion on school dropout and creating meaningful interventions. Observations regarding the instrument implementation and reflections on collected data have been systematically recorded through regular monthly meetings between researchers and practitioners. Analysis of 73 documents, collected during observation and reflection phase, resulted in 18 categories, grouped into two broad themes: pitfalls and strengths of instrument implementation. Based on findings, instrument and procedures for early identification of students at risk of dropping out were revised to fit the needs and strengths of specific schools. The study offers valuable lessons regarding development of methodology for identification of students at risk of dropping out through researchers-practitioners collaboration.

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