The overall aim of the IDEAS project is to improve retention rates for students enrolled in secondary education in Costa Rica.

Fulfilment of this objective is specified in three operational objectives:

1) Develop a comprehensive orientation and tutoring manual specific to night students.

2) Develop curricular, organisational, professional and community development activities.

3) Discuss and circulate results through professional communities.

Achieving the first objective will provide strategies for further action in curricular, organisational, professional and community domains adapted to the reality of Costa Rican secondary education level schools.

Fulfilment of the second objective will pave the way for the creation and communities of professional practice which will outline work plans for different educational institutions with a clear emphasis on the identification of and care for the most vulnerable groups.

Finally, upon completion of the third objective the project results will be circulated beyond the schools involved, ensuring that the strategies and materials produced can be used by other Costa Rican institutions.