Throughout the 1980s, there was a trend in Australia towards increased
participation rates in post-compulsory education. This study examines factors that
influence Year 12 retention rates in four Government secondary schools within the
Wollongong Sub-Region. Factors that were thought to influence students to continue
to Year 12 and sit for the New South Wales Higher School Certificate Examination
included those related to Gender, Socio-economic (relating to occupation of parents,
government financial assistance, and language background), Educational and Career.
The study involved surveying over 400 Year 10 students in four schools by
questionnaires. These schools were chosen for their geographical location and to
include two schools with a history of high retention rates and two schools with low
retention rates.
The questions in the survey were incorporated with a larger survey conducted
in 1989 by the Faculty of Education at the University of Wollongong under the coordination
of Dr. Noeline Kyle ("Everyone expects you to know; A report on careers
advice and industry attitudes towards female students in non-traditional study and
work in the Illawarra", 1990). The questionnaire was piloted in 1988 and after
seeking recommendations from students, teachers and the NSW Department of School
Education Research Group, the survey was administered in 1989.
The study used descriptive research methodology, and Chi-square analysis
was used to establish significance levels in the data.
With regard to gender, the data clearly demonstrated that female students were
more inclined than male students to stay on to Year 12, and have positive reasons for
their decision.
Concerning Socio-Economic factors, the results of this study showed that
students whose parents have a professional background are more likely to stay on to
Year 12. In addition, the achievement of the Higher School Certificate as a preIV
requisite for further study was a strong motivating factor for students staying on to
Year 12. However, students in receipt of Austudy did not appear to relate in a
statistically significant manner with any of the factors that influence the student to stay
on to Year 12. As well, no statistical inference could be drawn from intention to sit for
the HSC and the language most used at home by parents.
With regard to educational factors, the responses from each of the four schools
surveyed showed a high percentage (82 to 85%) of students intending to stay on to
Year 12 and sit for the HSC examination. None of these schools had an appreciably
higher proportion of students intending to sit the HSC exam. However, it was found
that students from one particular school were more likely to undertake further study
and students from this school had a high percentage of both parents with a
professional occupation than any other school.
The findings relating to career factors showed that students who have a
professional career in mind are more likely to proceed to Year 12. It was also found
that students who had school work experience in a professional occupation were more
likely to proceed to Year 12.
The study relates the survey findings to the research literature in Australia, and
also includes a discussion of the limitations of the survey.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/219288 |
| Date | January 1993 |
| Creators | Repetylo, Anna H., n/a |
| Publisher | University of Canberra. Education |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | ), Copyright Anna H. Repetylo |
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