What can a young person under 16 do when he or she drops out of school?

Verified 17 January 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Your child under 16 has significant difficulties in class? Is he often late or absent? They may be dropping out of school. The institution in which he is registered must seek solutions and propose actions adapted to his situation.

Reminder

Education is compulsory until the age of 16.

If your child has significant difficulties in class and is often late or absent, they may be in early school leaving. This means that he plans to leave the school system without having obtained a qualification equivalent to the baccalaureate or a vocational diploma, such as a certificate of professional competence (CAP).

The school has a central role in the identification and prevention of early school leaving.

Your child under the age of 16 can be offered various solutions to avoid dropping out of school.

Various measures are being put in place in schools to combat dropout.

Homework done

The "homework done" scheme is a time dedicated to the performance of homework, in relation to the knowledge and skills already worked in the classroom.

Your child must volunteer to participate. You are informed of the work done by your child.

The device shall take place in the establishment for a pre-determined period of time. However, it can be set up remotely to allow as many people as possible to benefit from homework aid.

Early school leaving prevention group (GPDS)

The GPDS is a device for identifying students who are demotivated, absentee and at risk of dropping out. It is present in all colleges and high schools.

The GPDS is composed of the various actors of the institution: head of school, senior education counselor, psychologist of national education, teachers and social and health personnel.

Each identified young person is offered a situation interview and special support. The PAFI (organized initial training pathway) and the tutoring are examples of the arrangements put in place by the GPDS.

The GPDS informs you of the proposals and the progress of the actions implemented. It may do so in particular on the digital workspace, directly by telephone or during meeting times (parent-teacher meeting, specific appointment).

The GPDS is also responsible for monitoring the academic and professional development of students who have just left the school.

Tutoring

Mentoring is a framed interview between an adult volunteer at the school and your child. It is offered to your child to develop their autonomy, their responsibility, and help them progress in learning methods.

The head of the school, in conjunction with the teaching teams, decides on its organization.

You are informed of the implementation of the tutoring for your child.

Personalized Educational Achievement Program (PERP)

The PPRE is an individualized action plan put in place when the educational team detects difficulties in your child's schooling.

It includes actions to help your child acquire specific knowledge and skills.

The ERP also provides a method for evaluating your child's progress.

He focuses mainly on French and mathematics. ERPP may also affect 1era living language.

The aim of the PPRE is to enable your child to master the sufficient level of common knowledge and skills base.

FYI  

your agreement is not required to set up the ERP. However, your adherence to the action plan facilitates its success.

Organized Initial Training Course (PAFI)

The PAFI program allows your child to temporarily leave school to take a step back. He must be at least 15 years old and volunteer to take advantage of it.

During this period, your child participates in organized associative, cultural, professional or sports activities.

Your child retains his or her academic status throughout the duration of the PAFI. He can return to his institution without any negative impact on his studies.

The GPDS (group for the prevention of early school leaving) oversees the construction of the PAFI. It is set up under the authority of the head of school.

You are informed of the proposal to set up the PAFI for your child and its organization.

Relay devices

Your child can be integrated into a temporary school relay system. The objective is to re-socialize and reintegrate it into a training course.

Your child can benefit from this if all the possibilities of care in college have already been used. It has to be voluntary as part of the scheme.

The head teacher and the educational team will help you set up the device for your child and inform you about its organization.

Reorientation

Your child may be redirected to another class or facility.

Please note

the establishment of a contract of alternation can also be considered under conditions, when your child reaches the age of 15 years.

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