Half a million early school leavers because of lockdown... That’s the assessment based on teachers’ feedback. In some neighborhoods and regions, up to 30% students are thought to have been off the school radar, resulting in ever-increasing difficulty in catching up. More than ever, we need to reengage these young people and help them find the pleasure in learning again.
Let’s help all middle schoolers succeed!
With school being shut in France from March 16 to June 22, 2020, thousands of children and teens were left without any teaching. Despite commitment from teachers and often help from parents, as well as the resources made available, some young people simply dropped out.
The first to disengage were those whose grades and motivation were already shaky. And yet studies showed that, before lockdown, almost 40% of those at risk of early school leaving were not identified as such by their teachers!
Lockdown really showed the damaging impact of the digital divide and social inequality. Almost 25% of low-income parents felt that they had insufficient equipment and access to the Internet, compared to 17% of higher-income families. Equipment aside, the children generally had no guidance regarding online work. 45% of higher socioeconomic populations felt perfectly able to meet the digital requirements for remote schooling, compared to 31% of those with a lower socioeconomic background. And to cap it all, inequality has been exacerbated by practical and housing issues.
This very strange context prompted Fondation de France to address four themes:
- tackling early school leaving, with academic prevention and remediation activities;
- creating educational catch-up and re-engagement projects, for students who experienced difficulties when the schools were shut;
- supporting distance learning, by providing IT equipment tailored to students’ needs, assisting teachers and developing parents’ digital skills;
- encouraging experimentation for innovative schooling, capable of adapting to transformations in society.
The 2020 version of the call for projects, “Let’s help all middle schoolers succeed” is for the schools’ teaching teams and nonprofit partners who work to that end.
Call for projects
Without a diploma, the chances of professional and social integration plummet by a factor of four. How can we reintroduce the pleasure of learning? Exploring potential pathways and renewing pedagogical practices are some of the areas in which Fondation de France mobilizes all stakeholders!
Let’s help middle schoolers get ahead!
Fondation de France continues to support projects whose aim is to reduce the correlation between a student’s socioeconomic background and their academic achievement. At the same time, it also reinforces commitment to the professionals who are engaged in making middle school a place for learning and practicing good citizenship.
Call for projects
Without a diploma, the chances of professional and social integration plummet by a factor of four. How can we reintroduce the pleasure of learning? Exploring potential pathways and renewing pedagogical practices are some of the areas in which Fondation de France mobilizes all stakeholders!
Let’s help middle schoolers get ahead!
Fondation de France continues to support projects whose aim is to reduce the correlation between a student’s socioeconomic background and their academic achievement. At the same time, it also reinforces commitment to the professionals who are engaged in making middle school a place for learning and practicing good citizenship.
