Role of secondary schools in the face of student absenteeism: a study of schools in socially underprivileged areas

This paper analyses the reactions to absenteeism in public secondary schools in underprivileged areas of the city of Barcelona, Spain. The data presented are part of a doctoral thesis undertaken after the implementation of the Spanish comprehensive education reform (LOGSE) and they draw attention to important differences between schools. The study examines schools' practices in the face of absenteeism and assesses their proactive or reactive responses to the requirements of student inclusion, studying their working methods and teacher cultures.