The main objective of the EARS Project was to develop procedures, methods, and tools for secondary and higher education’s teachers against early school leaving. This was achieved through several specific goals: 1. Co-design of a common action protocol between the partners, summarizing and improving the single regional practices already in place. This “enhanced” best practice exchange produced one research and a school anti-dropout protocol beneficial for guidance services in schools. 2. Development of a platform offering various tools and resources for school staff, including teachers and professionals like psychologists and counsellors, to combat early school leaving. 3. Training on the procedures, tools and competences needed by teachers and administrative staff to closely follow up on high-risk students, leaning on the three pillars of the programme: 1. Learn the Future; 2. Local and EU Labour-Market; 3. Family Involvement. This LTTA (C1 and C2) allowed teachers and staff involved to design and experiment innovative pilots in the schools involved, as partner or associated partners, in the project. 4. To advocate the results in dialogue with major sectoral stakeholders, promoting it at a European level.
Until recently, school drop-out was considered a localized issue, affecting specific regions and economies. However, EU efforts, particularly through CEDEFOP, have highlighted that exchanging best practices at the Union level is the most effective approach to tackling this challenge. The EARS partners advocate for an EU-wide strategy to reduce early school leaving, alleviating pressure on struggling regions by providing tools to meet EU targets. The project emerged from the recognition of the importance of sharing successful local practices in combating early school leaving, enhancing these practices by developing a common model that can guide national and regional education systems. This model includes designing and testing innovative training pathways for teachers and professionals working in secondary schools on projects aimed at reducing early school leaving. Additionally, the project's activities took place in inland areas of Europe, such as Copparo and Ferrara in Italy, which, due to geographical isolation, lack of services, and limited economic opportunities, face significant challenges with early school leaving. In these regions, young people are particularly vulnerable due to various structural and socio-economic factors.