Professional strategies in upper secondary school dropout management among youth in the Sami areas of Norway: a focus group study

• Published in: International Journal of Circumpolar Health
• Main Authors: Tone Aashild Dinesen, Bodil H. Blix, Astrid Gramstad
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2023
• Subjects: Tracking; dropouts; upper secondary school; prevention; Indigenous; Sami youth; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic; Norway; Circumpolar Health; International Journal of Circumpolar Health; Northern Norway; sami
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1080/22423982.2023.2198112; https://doaj.org/article/add7801f69e24b6cb2d1003ae16df941

ABSTRACTThe upper secondary school dropout rate is a challenge in many western countries, and measures have been taken to prevent dropout. The dropout rate in Norway is stable but is the highest in the northernmost counties. The aim of this study is to explore the strategies employed by upper secondary school teachers and their collaborators to prevent dropout from upper secondary school among Sami youth in northern Norway. This study is based on three focus group interviews with teachers, advisers, nurses, and counsellors in the Sami areas of northern Norway. The thematic analysis identified two main strategies, namely tracking the student and giving the student time. Transparent environments, cultural competence, and interdisciplinary collaboration were identified as prerequisites for successfully implementing the two strategies to prevent dropout from upper secondary school.