Project Team: Markus Andrä, Katrin Pittius, Maren Behnert, Robert Schuster (Student Research Assistant)
Project Sponsor: Youth Office Dresden / Jugend stärken im Quartier
Project Duration: 01 September 2019 – 30 June 2022, extended to April 2023
Background
Across Germany, the number of students for whom the formal school system does not provide adequate support for personal and professional development is increasing. Key facts:
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Rising number of school dropouts: approximately 7% of all school leavers nationally.
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In Saxony (2018): around 2,500 young people (8.5% of school leavers).
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Increasing absenteeism: since 2006, the number of administrative proceedings for unexcused absence in Saxony quadrupled, reaching around 7,000 cases in 2018.
Project Goals
The Fachhochschule Dresden (FHD) advises the Youth Office Dresden on:
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Developing a strategy to counter school absenteeism
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Evaluating alternative pathways to school completion
Key Focus Areas:
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Evaluation of the Straßenschule (Treberhilfe Dresden e. V.)
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Offers socio-pedagogical support outside the formal school system
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Helps young people prepare for the external school-leaving examination
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Emphasizes recognition of prior experiences and intensive dialogue between learners and educators
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Findings were presented at a professional conference in January 2021 and submitted to the Youth Welfare Committee
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Support for the “Fachstelle Schulabsentismus”
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Institution-spanning initiative to develop strategies for cooperation and networking among stakeholders
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FHD contributes theoretical groundwork and surveys to scientifically analyze school absenteeism
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Bachelor theses by students in the Social Pedagogy and Management program are produced as part of the project
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Outcomes
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Comprehensive evaluation report of the Straßenschule
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Summary of working group results from the professional conference on 19 April 2023
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Recommendations to support institutional strategies against chronic absenteeism and improve educational access for marginalized youth
This project combines applied research, student engagement, and practical collaboration with local youth services to address school absenteeism in Dresden effectively.