Secondary school dropout prevention through service-learning: A pilot study

• Participating in the SLUSIK program is associated with less school dropout intention. • The PLACE model shows promising results in delivering service-learning objectives. • SLUSIK program can be considered an example of evidence-based service-learning program. This study investigates the impact of a service-learning program on secondary school dropout prevention in four European countries. The methodological design was a cluster randomized trial. The intervention involved a sample of secondary school students ( n = 204), implementing an ad hoc intervention model. Regression results in Model 7 with all predictors and controls show a significant effect in the variable experimental group, with all predictors and controls explaining 27.9 % of the variance. Suggestive positive results are present for other variables like country (Austria) and Slovakia (Model 2), global trait emotional intelligence (Model 3), civic responsibility, civic efficacy (Model 4), civic skills (Model 5), and learning mindset (Model 6). Based on these promising results, some recommendations are made to improve the future impact of this type of comprehensive service-learning program.