School Dropout Rates, Juvenile Problems, and Education on the Rule of Law

The Professional Development Course is designed to provide skills in planning and managing initiatives to address early school leaving and the risk of dropping out, with a focus on both preventive and remedial measures.

Even today, the problem of early school leaving and the guaranteed minimum level of education reflects a series of social dysfunctions that—in some parts of the country more than others—are still very much present, such as economic and educational poverty, the lack of a culture of legality, crime, and certain profound forms of child distress, ranging from bullying to gender discrimination, from immigration to substance abuse.

Even before involving social services, efforts to combat early school leaving must fall to the teaching staff, who are called upon to fulfill a threefold commitment: to prevent early school leaving, to recognize signs of social dysfunction in the classroom, and to take action to remedy them.

As for the first commitment, the goal is to provide the prevention strategies needed to limit the emergence of conditions that contribute to academic failure, school-related distress, and dropping out. This is achieved by educating young people in a culture of legality and, more generally, by fostering an inclusive school environment that promotes effective learning and allows everyone to feel accepted, understood, and valued, while developing a sense of belonging and positive interdependence. As for the second commitment, it is important to provide the cognitive tools to recognize the presence of youth distress, which is not always immediately apparent because it is hidden, concealed, or disguised, and because it is constantly evolving, driven by technological progress and globalization. As for the third commitment, teachers must be equipped with skills in the area of restorative justice, ranging from relationships with families to those with social services and law enforcement.

Upon completion of the training program, participants will be able to develop organizational models to combat early school leaving by:

1. understanding of the phenomenon;
2. an understanding of social and criminological causes;
3. remedial measures.
    

This training program offers participants an educational and training curriculum consisting of various integrated methods, structured as follows:

• Lectures (32 hours);

Attendance at the course is mandatory for at least 90% of the hours specified in the course syllabus.

At the end of the training activities, there will be a final exam consisting of a project on the topics covered in the course.

Those who attend the course and pass the final exam will receive a certificate of participation and 5 CFU credits.

The Professional Development Course is open to anyone who holds a high school diploma or equivalent qualification.

Another requirement for admission to the course is that applicants must belong to one of the following organizations and/or categories based in the Municipality of San Severo:

• Zannotti Fraccacreta Comprehensive School;
• Petrarca Padre Pio Middle School;
• Palmieri San Giovanni Bosco Comprehensive School;
• Pestalozzi High School;
• Minuziano
• C.A.V.
• Employment Placement Office - Consorzio Mestieri Puglia Scs
• “Peppino Impastato” Day Center for Minors - Agape Social Cooperative
• “Mano Per Mano” Family Service Center - Agape Social Cooperative
• Ade Service - Consortium for Healthcare and Integrated Welfare Services, Ltd.
• School Integration Service - Consortium for Health and Integrated Welfare Services, Ltd.
• ASD “Esperti In Campo”
• Social Incubators – Third Sector Organizations
• San Severo Social Services – City of San Severo
• Arcidonna Association

For more information, please contact:

Division of Higher Education and Advanced Studies, 
Master's Programs, Advanced Courses, and State Exams
Phone: 0881 338323; 0881 338312
Email: [email protected]

Course Academic and Administrative Office
Phone: 0881 582220; 345 0305012 
Email: [email protected]