Guiding Futures: the Role of Teachers in the Formation of Students’ Aspirations for Higher Education
Lead University: University of Newcastle
Lead Researcher: Jenny Gore
Research Team: Jenny Gore, Leanne Fray, Adam Lloyd, Max Smith and Kath Holmes
Year Funded: 2015
Funding Received: $90,295
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6984017.v1
Abstract
The project investigated the impact of school teachers and other educators on Year 3 to Year 12 students’ aspirations for higher education. A second objective was to test the idea that underrepresentation of students from low socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds and other disadvantaged groups in universities may in part be a function of the explicit and implicit guidance students receive from teachers.
Project outline
- The project investigated the impact of teachers and other educators working in schools on Year 3 to Year 12 students’ aspirations for higher education.
- A second objective was to test the idea that underrepresentation of students from low socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds and other disadvantaged groups in universities may in part be a function of the explicit and implicit guidance students receive from teachers.
- The research was based on:
- analysis of extant quantitative data on approximately 1500 teachers from the Aspirations Longitudinal Study
- analysis of extant qualitative data from interviews with approximately 186 teachers, 15 principals and 15 career advisers in the Aspirations Longitudinal Study
- analysis of extant qualitative data from open-ended survey responses from approximately 1500 teachers and 10,000 students, plus focus group data on approximately 570 students from the Aspirations Longitudinal Study
- analysis of relationships between the teacher and student datasets.
Key findings
- Two research journal articles, outlining key findings, are currently in preparation:
- Guiding Futures: The Role of Teachers in the Formation of Students’ Aspirations for Higher Education
- The Role of Teachers in the Formation of Students’ Aspirations for Higher Education: A Scoping Review of the Literature, 2000-2017
- A presentation was delivered at the Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) Conference in Melbourne in December 2016.
- A poster presentation on the role of teachers in shaping student aspirations was included in a showcase of research at the University of Newcastle in September 2016.
- Key findings from this project will also be used in a further project developing professional learning resources for teachers across Australia. The resources are designed to assist teachers in understanding and supporting their students’ aspirations.
Summary prepared by the NCSEHE.