The relationship between student engagement and dropout risk in early adolescence

Abstract

One of the most reliable predictors of school effectiveness is student engagement, which is not only related to students’ current achievement but also long-term outcomes. Using linear regression and structural equation modeling procedures, the present study was aimed at examining the relationship between dropout risk, dimensions of student engagement, and family background. The survey study involved 3251 7th grade Hungarian students who completed the adapted Student Engagement Instrument and self-reported background questionnaire. According to the results, student performance is mainly related to parents’ educational attainment, but a moderate or weak correlation with behavioral, academic, and cognitive engagement is also detectable. While affective engagement shows a weak association with performance, it correlates with other engagement dimensions linked to achievement. This result suggests that support from parents, peers, and teachers may have an indirect effect on achievement; however, the present study could not confirm this hypothetical model. Based on our data, parental educational attainment and student engagement account for approximately 41 % of student performance which draws attention to the complexity of the relationship between student engagement and performance and highlights the importance of a comprehensive approach to dropout and student engagement in this context.