Colombo, Maddalena2020-09-112020-09-112019-10-01Central European Journal of Educational Research, Vol. 1 No. 1 (2019): Persistence and Dropout in Higher Education , 1-9https://hdl.handle.net/2437/293937In this essay I set out the current situation of Early School Leaving (ESL) in Italy by considering both data provided by institutional sources (national and international) and a review of the most recent contributions from the educational work that have been done intensively to fight against ESL over the last 20 years. I will argue that the way followed so far will not lead to surprising results, due to deep and structural persisting factors of inequality. After a short overview on the position of Italy in the European rankings, the article recalls the main interventions that took place in the country by different investors (public and non-public), setting up a multiplicity of fragmented macro-politics. Then I will look at the mechanisms of differentiation and unequal distribution of educational opportunities and I will conclude with suggestions on how to make the fight against ESL more efficient and forward-looking.application/pdfearly leavers from education and trainingNEET Neither in employment, nor in Education and TrainingItalyAt risk studentpreventive strategyfolyóiratcikkOpen Accessby the author(s)https://doi.org/10.37441/CEJER/2019/1/1/3340Central European Journal of Educational Research11CEJER2677-0326