TVETipedia Glossary

Education dropout

(also simply Dropout)

Disengagement from an education or training programme before its completion, without having achieved the relevant learning or training objectives.

Comment

Dropout may apply to the process (early school-leaving) and to an individual who fails to complete a course (early school-leaver);
besides early school-leavers, dropouts may also refer to learners who have completed education or training but failed the final examinations;
this term is close to, but not synonymous with: early school-leaving / early leaving from education and training.

Source:
Cedefop, Glossary. Terminology of European education and training policy, (last accessed 10/2024)
Cedefop, Glossary. Terminology of European education and training policy, (last accessed 10/2024)
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This revised and expanded multilingual glossary defines 430 key terms used in European education and training policy. Building on the Terminology of European education and training policy – A selection of 130 key terms, published in 2014, this latest version, which draws on the experiences of Cedefop’s experts, gives new definitions and covers the latest European Union policy priorities, particularly on skills intelligence and employment.
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