Cluster Analysis of school dropout in public schools of Goiás: segmentation and implications for educational policies

School dropout is a factor that substantially impacts the educational system, and understanding and reducing its rates are fundamental to social development. This study aimed to identify patterns of school dropout in the public school system of the state of Goiás, in order to guide the development of public policies aimed at reducing these rates. To this end, 246 municipalities were grouped based on their dropout rates in elementary and secondary education, from 2019 to 2020. Pattern identification was performed using cluster analysis. Dropout rates at different stages were considered complex and highly variable, particularly in the final years of elementary school and the initial years of secondary school, with some clusters showing rates below the national average. The practical implications were evident, with recommendations for targeted interventions in specific clusters and identified atypical points. The results provide support for guiding more effective educational policies and strategies to combat school dropout.