International Journal of Educational Development 27 (2007) 564–571 A tracer study of Lebanese upper secondary school students Barend Vlaardingerbroek a,Ã , Kamel Dallal b , George Rizkallah c , Jihan Rabah d a Department of Education, American University of Beirut, PO Box 11-0236, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon b Makassed Philanthropic Islamic Association, Beirut, Lebanon c Sagesse High School, Metn, Lebanon d Private Educational Consultant, Beirut, Lebanon Abstract This paper presents data arising from a tracer study of 90 terminating Beirut upper secondary school students. Nearly all the students intended to transit to university, about half of them to science and technology programmes, and subsequently did so. Median anticipated earnings upon graduation were realistic, but a lack of information or guidance about higher education and career options was noted by a considerable proportion. The results of the study are discussed with reference to the as yet poorly elucidated dynamics of schooling with regard to attrition and transition to higher education and employment in Lebanon. r 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Attrition rates; Careers counselling; Lebanon; Tracer study; Transition rates 1. Introduction Lebanon is a cosmopolitan liberal democracy of near four million people, 95% of whom are designated as Arabs, and around 70% of whom are Muslim (Central Intelligence Agency, 2006). The Lebanese public sector retains a discernible French character, reflecting the prominent cultural influence that France has exerted over Lebanon despite its short-lived colonial mandate (from shortly after World War 1, during which time the Ottoman Empire collapsed, until 1943 when in- dependence was declared). An anglophone, parti- cularly American, cultural influence has been strongly increasing since the second World War. Not being an oil or gas producer, the largely service-based Lebanese economy manages a per capita GDP of only ca. $5300 (Central Intelligence Agency, 2006). There is a chronically high unem- ployment problem, particularly among youth (Kab- bani and Kothari, 2005). However, this observation must be tempered with noting Lebanon’s heavy reliance on foreign workers, including Syrian migrant labourers and internal Palestinian refugees, to fill menial labour vacancies. Adult literacy is in excess of 85% (Hashem, 2002). Lebanon boasts a highly developed education system at all levels, although its highly specialised structure imparts a rigidity which may contribute to the unemployment problem through graduate un- employment (United Nations, 2003). There is a dearth of research information about the schooling/ employment interface. The purpose of the research presented in this paper was to gain an insight into ARTICLE IN PRESS www.elsevier.com/locate/ijedudev 0738-0593/$ - see front matter r 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.ijedudev.2006.09.002 Ã Corresponding author. E-mail address: bv00@aub.edu.lb (B. Vlaardingerbroek).