While access to tertiary education in New Zealand has increased
substantially since the mid 1980's, significant disparities exist
for students at low decile schools ("target students") in terms
of:
- participation in tertiary education in
general, and degree courses / university education in
particular
- completion of tertiary courses
- entry into the full time workforce at higher
income levels following tertiary study
Participation
Target students are best encouraged to go on to tertiary
education, particularly university education, by a comprehensive
preparatory programme which covers matters including:
- raising of academic aspirations
- understanding of financial considerations
- increasing awareness of career and academic opportunities
Completion
Target students are best able, successfully, to complete
tertiary education when they:
- are adequately academically prepared
- possess effective goal setting and time management skills
- have sufficient financial resources to focus on study, and
- are aware of resources available to them for academic and
personal support
Workforce entry
Target students are best able to enter into meaningful,
well-paid employment following tertiary study, and go on positively
to influence and benefit their communities, when they:
- are adequately informed about work opportunities
- have access to appropriate personal support in the transition
between study and work, and
- have seen success come as a result of their own hard work