Level of trust in education system is key predictor of whether students will drop out

Researchers at Utrecht University looked into what factors are predictive of students dropping out. Their findings are detailed in the prestigious journal Nature Communications. Led by Catrin Finkenauer, Scientific Director of Dynamics of Youth and Professor of Youth Studies, the team explored whether trust in institutions is a predictor of whether students will drop out. “As it turned out, it is actually one of the most significant predictors.”

Understanding why young people leave school prematurely is of paramount importance. “Across the world, whether young people drop out of school is consistently predictive of their life success,” says Finkenauer. “It is highly determinative of your future: what type your work you are going to do, what your relationships will be like, and your future state of health.”

1231 vocational education students

The Utrecht researchers, representing the three faculties of Law, Economics and Governance (REBO), Earth Sciences, and Social and Behavioural Sciences conducted surveys among 1231 students in senior secondary vocational education in the Netherlands. Data collection took place in November 2019, and in October 2020, the Utrecht scientists received data on drop-outs from participating vocational institutions. 

Trust in education system

It is well-known that a lower socio-economic status (SES) is predictive of the likelihood of dropping out of school. In their Nature article, the researchers confirm this finding. “However, research into why young people drop out of school often overlooks institutional trust,” says Finkenauer. “Therefore, we asked young people to what extent they trust the government, the police, the school system and the media. We found that the lower the trust in these institutions, the higher is the likelihood that students will drop out.”

To tackle the school drop-out issue, we must improve trust in the school system.

Directors

This research finding is an eye-opener, particularly for directors of vocational education institutions. “Professionals, researchers and even directors frequently attribute dropping out of school to factors like student motivation or mental health issues. But our research reveals that it's not solely an individual problem but also a systemic one. To tackle the school drop-out issue, we must improve trust in the school system and truly restore it for some students.”

Transparency and honesty

Trust is not something that can be demanded. Trust must be earned, as underscored by the Utrecht Professor of Youth Studies. “As a school, you must be deserving of trust. This may involve transparency: your decision-making processes should be clear. At school, there should be explicit and understandable rules. Furthermore, you should communicate honestly and keep your promises. So, don't attempt to rationalise things that are clearly wrong, and apologise when things go differently than planned. This way, trust can be restored and nurtured. It's not fundamentally different from how institutions like the government or the police must earn the trust of adults.”