The effects of low attainment on young people's outcomes at age 22-23 in Scotland

• Published in: British educational research journal 2008-04, Vol.34 (2), p.269-290
• Main Authors: Howieson, Cathy, Iannelli, Cristina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Academic Achievement; Academic degrees; Affluence; Compulsory Education; Dropouts; Educational Attainment; Educational research; Employee qualifications; Employment; England; Family; Family Characteristics; Females; Foreign Countries; Gender; Gender Differences; Labor Market; Labor markets; Labour market participation; Languages; Level of education; Lifelong Learning; Males; Men; Outcomes of Education; Qualifications; Quality of education; Risk factors; School leavers; Scope of employment; Scotland; Scottish School Leavers Survey; Sex Differences; Social impact; Student withdrawals; Surveys; Unemployment; United Kingdom; Vocational education; Wealth; Young Adults; Youth
• ISSN: 0141-1926; 1469-3518
• DOI: 10.1080/01411920701532137

A common concern among policy makers in Europe is the low level of qualifications of some school leavers and the possible consequences of this for their life chances and for countries' economic prosperity. This article considers the impact of young people's low levels of educational attainment on their later life chances, especially on labour market participation. It identifies the long-term negative effects of low attainment and explores the extent to which family background also continues to influence young people's outcomes. It examines the outcomes of low attainment among young men and women and considers whether low attainment has a different impact on the prospects of young men and women. The article also investigates whether staying on at school improves longer-term chances and opportunities for low attainers. These questions have strong policy relevance, and are explored using data from a nationally representative survey of Scottish school leavers.