This study summarises findings from empirical research into the factors influencing participation in post-compulsory schooling. Considerable empirical research has been undertaken to determine the factors influencing participation in post-compulsory schooling. The purpose of this paper is to present a summary of that research in terms of an integrated framework. The empirical studies drawn upon comprise both Australian and overseas research. These studies utilise participation in post-compulsory schooling as the dependent variable, and seek to explain the variation in such participation using various labour market and education-related explanatory variables. The focus of the paper is upon variables explaining the change in the overall participation rate (rather than variables that determine who is more likely to participate). The target population comprises individuals in Years 10, 11 and 12 of secondary school.
Completion/publication date for this report: May 2000.
Core Topics
- School Education
- Youth Affairs
Other Topics
- Apprenticeships, Traineeships and New Apprenticeships
- Funding of Education and Training
- Student Income and Assistance Transitions to Employment
The study synthesises findings from empirical research into the factors influencing participation in post-compulsory schooling. Most of the empirical studies use Australian data, but also included are two using US data and one using UK data. The context and interpretation in the paper drawn on time series data, ie. Schools Australia (ABS Cat.No.4221.0) and the Labour Force Survey (ABS Cat.No.6203.0). The main finding from the study is that, while a large number of variables impact on the participation decision, primacy remains on employment-related variables in explaining (i) the variation in the participation rates in post-compulsory schooling over the last two decades and (ii) future participation rates. This item is based on primarily qualitative research methods.
- Sandra Roussel; DEST
- Terry Murphy; DEST
Report 
(131.7 KB)
ISBN/Catalogue No: 0 642 23988 6 DEST Number: 3/2000
Research and Evaluation Branch
International, Analysis and Evaluation Division
| Dr Terry Murphy
Ph: 02 62408541
Fax: 02 62408188 |
Sandra Roussel
Ph: 02 62408332
Fax: 02 62408188 |