Resilient students: what are the factors behind the success of disadvantaged students?

Chapter by Silvia Duranti and Francesco Bogazzi published in the volume edited by FrancoAngeli:

STUDENTS: INEQUALITIES AND INCLUSION
VIII Seminar “INVALSI data: a tool for teaching and scientific research” a cura di Patrizia Falzetti

The volume can be downloaded free of charge from the FrancoAngeli Open Access platform: https://series.francoangeli.it/index.php/oa/catalog/book/1552

ISBN-13 (15) 9788835184676
Date of first publication (11) 2026-02-04

Ideally, schools should provide equal opportunities for all students. However, they are often unable to avoid perpetuating the inequalities found in wider society. Promoting inclusion means recognising the value of all differences and ensuring that every student has what they need to learn and grow, regardless of their starting point or background.
This topic was discussed at the VIII Seminar, ‘INVALSI data: a tool for teaching and scientific research’ (Rome, 23–26 November 2023) and this volume comprises a selection of the contributions that were presented. The chapters address the issues of educational inequality and early school leaving in Italy and Europe, adopting a variety of perspectives and focusing particularly on the processes that enable them and the strategies that can be used to combat them.
As a statistical service, we hope that reading this volume will provide the tools for interpretation and operational ideas for improving the school system, offering theoretical reflections, empirical evidence and operational guidelines to promote a more equitable and inclusive system that can enhance the potential of all students.