Adolescentes que no asisten a ciclo básico: caracterización de su trayectoria académica, condiciones de vida y decisión de abandono.

Abstract. This article analyzes a survey among 15 year-old adolescents that dropped out the formal educational system before completing junior high. A panel data analysis is performed relating data from the survey with data gathered when these adolescents were attending primary school. We analyze the relationship between school dropout and cognitive skills, self-perception of skills and expectations of future studies from three years before. Over two thirds dropped out when they were 14 year old or younger and 40% never enrolled in junior high. This suggests that the decision of dropping out of school is also significant at earlier ages than those generally discussed in prior studies. In most cases the decision to drop out of school was supported made with the family support or shared with the family.