A diagnostic of the principal factors responsible for the increasing number of drop-outs in educational courses is presented. These factors are confronted by involving the students of these courses in research projects with primary and secondary public schools. The experience developed with these activities in the courses Educational Psychology I and II - and Structure and Functioning of Primary and Secundary Schools at the College of Philosopy, Science and Letters in the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, campus is described.
