Second Chance Schools: a curricular proposal aimed at personal reconstruction, educational return and employability

Abstract

Second Chance Schools (E2C) aspire to become a response to the challenges raised by the educational return and employability of young people at risk of exclusion. The aim of this paper is to analyse the curricular proposal made by the E2C in Spain. In 2021, we conducted semi-structured interviews with the principals of 24 E2C, with ten professionals from companies that have hired graduated students from these E2C, as well as with nine mentors from schools to which students have been referred at the end of their time at E2C. We also surveyed 351 graduated youths. Results show that the main strengths of E2C are their curricular flexibility in the design of the formative itinerary and the leading role of young people in their election. Other highlights of the results are the relevance of transversal and basic competences, which are valued in the same way as the technical-professional competences by the schools; and the sense of continuous and non-sanctioning assessment, which is aimed at transformation and improvement. It is concluded that an adapted, flexible and comprehensive curriculum in the E2C benefits the personal, social, educational and job inclusion of young students.