Shared and Distinctive Aspects of Ultra-Orthodox College Student Dropouts: A Typology of Attrition Narratives

• In Event: Religion, Spirituality, and Educational Outcomes

Abstract

We conducted a mixed-methods study of 251 Ultra-Orthodox Israeli college students who dropped out of college, compared to 350 similar students who persisted in their academic studies. The Ultra-Orthodox sector in Israel is highly conservative and religiously fundamentalist, and until recently eschewed higher education entirely. Recently, high level of attritions have been recorded for this group. We found that these students experienced multiple challenges, including task overload, religious-academic conflict and lack of institutional support. Using a two-phase coding scheme, we identified six main patterns of attrition experiences, each meriting its own management and interventions. We concluded that contrary to previous studies, several main causes for their attrition can be identified and that dropping out was detrimental to students’ mental wellbeing.

Authors

• Nurit S. Novis-Deutsch, University of Haifa

• Osnat Rubin, University of Haifa

• Lotem Perry-Hazan, University of Haifa