Social background, performance deficits and the high dropout intention in teacher training in the fields of metal and electrical engineering

Abstract

The field of metal and electrical engineering teacher training (MET-EL) is an area for first generation students with high dropout rates and not enough graduates for the labour market. With the Germany-wide data of the KOAB graduate study, we give a comprehensive overview of the socio-demographics of MET-EL graduates in comparison to other types of teaching. We explain, based on theory, to what extent social background and performance reasons are relevant for the increased dropout intention. According to quantitative analyses, the dropout intention is not related to the non-academic parental background, but to performance deficits and access to higher education without the Abitur. Measures should therefore target the academic learning cultures and performance deficits of MET-EL students.