The second chance system : Système de la seconde chance : résultats des trois cycles de l'Enquête auprès des jeunes en transition

There is increasing emphasis on formal education in Canada as elsewhere in the developed (and developing) parts of the world. Much of the reason for this emphasis is on the importance not only of credentials (Thiessen 2001) but also of literacy and numeracy (Finnie and Meng 2006) to labour force participation and income. Post-secondary education (PSE) is playing an increasingly significant role in this process (HRDC 1998; Looker 2002) and many if not most Post-Secondary Education (PSE) programs require a minimum of a high school diploma (Canadian Council on Learning 2005:1). As Biggart (2000) notes "In a rapidly changing labour market, qualifications are increasingly necessary, and this is a trend that ... is likely to continue." (P.11). So, the question becomes, what happens to those who leave school early? Which of them return for a "second chance"?