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Aust J Social Issues - 2025 - Potia - Transition From Primary to Secondary School Igniting Attendance and Engagement Among1.19 MB
Published Version (Advanced Access)CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Transition From Primary to Secondary School: Igniting Attendance and Engagement Among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students Through National Policy Reform
Australian Journal of Social Issues, Vol.Advanced Access
2025
Abstract
Australia's Closing the Gap reform aims to address disparities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. There are specific targets focussed on key educational transitions; yet, the transition to secondary education is not a targeted priority. This is surprising given that this transition point is one in which student disengagement is notably high generally, and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, intensified by historical, cultural and geographic factors. Secondary analysis of national attendance data indicates a significant drop in attendance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students during this transition, especially in remote areas, signalling an urgent need for policy action. These data call for culturally responsive policy reforms addressing this precarious transition period. Implementing policies that conceptualise the problem as a relationship between school and student can mitigate risks of disengagement. Strategies should include fostering educational environments that respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and understand historical contexts, enhance connections with community and culture and promote community-led research to drive innovative and effective solutions. Addressing this oversight in the Closing the Gap targets is imperative in creating equitable educational opportunities that improve engagement, attendance and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students across Australia.
Details
- Title
- Transition From Primary to Secondary School: Igniting Attendance and Engagement Among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students Through National Policy Reform
- Authors
- Azhar Hussain Potia (Corresponding Author) - The University of QueenslandKai W. Wheeler - The University of QueenslandTracy Woodroffe - Charles Darwin UniversityKaren Thorpe - The University of Queensland
- Publication details
- Australian Journal of Social Issues, Vol.Advanced Access
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
- DOI
- 10.1002/ajs4.70041
- ISSN
- 1839-4655; 0157-6321
- Copyright note
- This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made. © 2025 The Author(s). Australian Journal of Social Issues published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australian Social Policy Association.
- Grants
- Organisation Unit
- Thompson Institute
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991149537802621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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