More Propaedeutic Programs in Chile. The discourse of students at Universidad Católica Silva Henríquez

Abstract

Difficulties when joining Chilean higher education affect, in particular, those students coming from vulnerability contexts within society. This situation deserves a deep analysis since, in the educational system, there are youngsters who have an outstanding performance and obtain high grades through their secondary education but whose scores in the Test of University Selection (PSU), due to the segregation existing in the Chilean education, would not be high enough to enter university. Some institutions have implemented Propaedeutic Programs directed to those students. Thus, some questions arise: What is their point of view towards these Programs? Why do they have good performances? Throughout a structural analysis of discourse, it is intended to show evidence of the characteristics that, with the necessary support, could make these students real candidates to end their university studies successfully.