Despite numerous interventions, Australian Technical and Further Education (TAFE) students continue to display extremely high rates of attrition. Typically these students are mature-aged and work full-time while studying part-time. The mature-age part-time student is considered by attrition researchers to be at the extreme end of high-risk for non-persistence in courses, having intrinsic characteristics (e.g. a long period of absence from the educational environment) and an exposure to external influences (e.g. family and work commitments) that generally make them vulnerable to dropout. Whilst there have been recent advances in self-concept theory and research, studies examining the role of self-concept in relation to attrition remain rare. The primary purpose of this research was to capitalize on recent advances in self-concept theory and research to identify the relation of the self-concept construct to attrition in the TAFE setting and the nature of self-concept for working adults. The findings provide support for : the salience of the self-concept measurement instrument used in this investigation and the research and theory on which it is based; the effectiveness of the interventions used in the present investigation to enhance persistence; and the important role of self-concept in relation to attrition / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/269873 |
| Date | January 2004 |
| Creators | Wylie, John R., University of Western Sydney, College of Arts, Education and Social Sciences, School of Education and Early Childhood Studies |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Source | THESIS_CAESS_EEC_Wylie_J.xml |
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