How do Students from the Arab Sector in Israel Perceive the Impact of Socio-Economic Situation on Students' Decision to Drop Out of Higher Education Institutions?

Abstract

This research investigates Arab students' perceptions of how socio-economic challenges influence their decisions to drop out of higher education in Israel. Examining student dropout is important given increased concerns about student dropouts from higher education, as well as inequality in educational attainment in marginalized communities. Exploring Arab students is an important first step to fill in the gap on how structural elements - poverty, family obligations, culture, and lack of institutional support - contribute to students' decisions to drop out of higher education. Utilizing a qualitative methodology, the research used semi-structured interviews with 40 former Arab students to acquire a narrative of their experiences. It became evident from the results, that financial barriers, lack of institutional support, and socio-cultural pressure were the biggest challenges to persistence in their studies. In cocnclusion, this study suggests dropout is a collective and socio-economic-derived decision rather than an individual choice. Further, and as a means to improve students' chances of persistence, recommendations can be made for culturally sensitive advising, financial aid, and continued resources. This study contributes to the theoretical literature on student retention and social equity, and practically, the study can further articulate policies to minimize student dropout, specifically for minority college students in higher education in Israel.