The relationship with teachers and educational choice: a possible protective mechanism against the exit of foreign students from the school system

Journal title MONDI MIGRANTI
Author/s Giuliana Parente
Publishing Year 2025 Issue 2025/1
Language Italian Pages 22 P. 167-188 File size 124 KB
DOI 10.3280/MM2025-001009
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This paper analyzes the school choice of Italian and foreign students in the transition from lower to upper secondary school, aiming to understand the role of teachers in the decision to continue studying. The literature on educational inequalities has largely explained the disparities between Italian students and those with a migratory background based on their ascribed characteristics while paying little attention to the role of teachers. Using data from the 2015 Istat survey “Identity and integration paths of second generations in Italy”, through the application of the logistic regression technique, this study highlights how the relationship with teachers plays a fundamental role in shaping students' educational choices. In particular, in the absence of apparent justifications, teachers tend to direct foreign students toward less prestigious pathways, driven by a sense of “protection." In an attempt to reduce school dropout rates, they lower students' academic expectations, thus influencing their educational aspirations.

Keywords: foreign students; educational inequalities; teacher relationship; secondary school; school dropout.

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Giuliana Parente, Il rapporto con gli insegnanti e le scelte scolastiche: un meccanismo di protezione contro l’abbandono per gli studenti con background migratorio in "MONDI MIGRANTI" 1/2025, pp 167-188, DOI: 10.3280/MM2025-001009