Exploring Multiple Pathways for Indigenous Students. Discussion Paper.

An Australian national task force examined a number of areas related to achieving educational equality for Australia's Indigenous peoples. Young Indigenous Australians are disproportionately represented among young people who do not successfully negotiate the transition from school to independence and employment. This paper focuses on issues of transition across multiple pathways. Chapter 1 provides background on the importance of lifelong learning, the Australian national labor market, the nature of "effective transition" for young people, national policy on vocational education in schools, and task force findings on problems in the transition system and the particular transitional issues of Indigenous youth. Chapter 2 summarizes issues related to Indigenous students' transitions between primary and junior secondary school, between junior and senior secondary school, and between school and work. High rates of early dropouts and student absenteeism are discussed, along with effective practices in improving attendance and retention and the benefits of vocational learning for Indigenous students. Back-to-school programs for early school leavers are also described. Chapter 3 examines Indigenous participation in Vocational Education and Training (VET) and practices that ensure successful Indigenous participation. Chapter 4 looks at Indigenous participation in higher education, difficulties during the freshman year, factors that lead to withdrawal in the first and second year, characteristics of Indigenous college students, and academic and institutional factors that influence Indigenous retention and success. Two tables present data on Indigenous college students at Australian universities. (Contains 31 references.) (SV)