Psihološka istraživanja, Vol. XX 1 2017. UDK 371.212.8497.11 145169 37.014.5497.11 TIP ČLANKA: Original scientific paper Developing a Model for Dropout Prevention and Intervention in Primary and Secondary Schools in Serbia: Assessing the Model’s Effectiveness Jasminka Čekić Marković 1 Centre for Education Policy Jelena Radišić Department of Teacher Education and School Research, Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Oslo Vitomir Jovanović Centre for Education Policy Tanja Ranković UNICEF Serbia Abstract: The paper focuses on investigating the dropout phenomena and the need for its prevention and reduction within Serbian pre-university education. Understanding dropout as a multidimensional and system-level phenomenon, we offer a model for dropout prevention and intervention. The model considers the characteristics of schools in Serbia, together with the diversity of children under risk. Based on the findings from primary and secondary vocational schools 2 where the model was piloted, we focus on the model’s effectiveness as related to a reduc- tion in the dropout rate, absenteeism, and grade repetition, together with the rise in students’ overall achievement at the school level. The results suggest the model is largely effective in the reduction of dropout rate, absenteeism, and grade repeti- tion, with some ambiguous findings in regard to the rise of students’ achievement in primary schools. Keywords: dropout prevention, Serbia, primary and secondary schools. 1 jmarkovic@cep.edu.rs 2 According to the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) 2011, primary schooling in Serbia is equal to the ISCED 1 and 2 level, while secondary vocational schools offer programmes at the ISCED 3 level.