1.1. How we understand the early warning system at institutional level

Definition

In the framework of the CroCooS project Early Warning System (EWS) is a tool used by educational institutions, based on measurable data and observable phenomena, facilitating the timely identification of students at risk of dropping out and also the establishment and application of prevention measures on an individual level. 

Principles of building an EWS in the school

Building a comprehensive early warning system at institutional level is a long-term process. It may take up to 3 years to be completed. 

The intervention activities take place on different levels in the institution. There are activities on

• school level 
• groups (students-at-risk, members of staff etc.) 
• the individual (intervention which are built around the student taking into account his/her needs.

It is recommended to operate an early warning system from a very early age preferably already on pre-primary level, but at least from lower secondary. Within the framework of the CroCooS project the consortium decided to focus the policy experimentation on upper-secondary level. Therefore the early warning system to be developed within the project will concentrate on the upper secondary schools but the principals described in the project materials can mostly be adapted to other levels of the education.