This staff working document is intended to accompany and support the Commission proposal for a Council Recommendation Pathways to School Success, which will repeal and replace the 2011 Council Recommendation on policies to reduce early school leaving. The staff working document sets out in more detail and depth the concepts put forward in the Commission proposal by providing research evidence, findings from consultation activities, good practice examples and other information as a basis for both the text of the proposed Recommendation and its accompanying actions. This document is also intended as a practical guide/handbook to help policy makers and stakeholders to fully understand issues surrounding school success and to support positive change across systems and across Europe.