SCHOOL DROPOUT AND ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP. A SOCIAL AND SUSTAINABLE EXPERIENCE IN LOMBARDY

The dropout rate in Italy is very high due to endogenous and exogenous causes (ISTAT 2021). As part of a project promoted by the Regional School Office of Lombardy, which involves schools, prison institutions and universities on the topic of Education to Legality, this research looks at how, by getting different institutions involved, a school approach based on active and innovative methodologies, the formation of peer groups and the development of joint studies, it is possible to reactivate and revive the sense and pleasure of learning. The pilot project shows how Education to Legality as education to active citizenship can contribute as a possible antidote and fight against school dropout. A multidisciplinary team composed of teachers working outside and inside the prison, prison staff and researchers from the university, following the participatory mode of Re- search Action, worked together on a pilot project involving two classes of adult foreign students most of whom were returning to education. One class was made up of students who were detained. We’ll be looking at the strengths and challenges that emerged from this educational-didactic research project.