Aiming high: what drives the educational aspirations of young Australians?

Raising the educational aspirations of young people is a key element in supporting current higher education participation targets, including increased university participation by students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Recent Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) research confirms that aspirations to complete Year 12 and go on to university have a substantial impact on educational outcomes. Building on this, other research has shown that school and community programs, particularly those that leverage the influence of parents, may help raise the educational and occupational...  [+] Show more

Raising the educational aspirations of young people is a key element in supporting current higher education participation targets, including increased university participation by students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Recent Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) research confirms that aspirations to complete Year 12 and go on to university have a substantial impact on educational outcomes. Building on this, other research has shown that school and community programs, particularly those that leverage the influence of parents, may help raise the educational and occupational aspirations of young Australians.

Published abstract.