Building the evidence about correlations between pathway programs and Indigenous student university completion

University completion rates for Indigenous students remain significantly lower than non-Indigenous students. University pathway programs are central to preparing and transitioning Indigenous students into university and are correlated with above average Indigenous undergraduate retention (Pitman et al., 2017). However, high-quality research-based evidence of the impact of these programs in relation to supporting university completion is limited. In this presentation we will discuss findings from an Indigenous-led Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success (ACSES) funded research project which focuses on exploring success factors of university pathway programs and potential correlations between prior enrolment in a university pathway program and university completion for Indigenous students. Building on our previous research (Fredericks et al., 2022), the current project aims to build the evidence base about what works in enabling and pathway programs to ensure Indigenous student success and university completion. Our study follows a mixed-methods (qualitative and quantitative) design to identify and evaluate the multifaceted dimensions and range of strategies used in pathway programs at three Go8 universities who support Indigenous students’ to transition into university. We will discuss the findings from interviews with 1) Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff in pathway programs at the three case study sites; 2) Indigenous graduates who previously undertook an enabling or pathway program; 3) current Indigenous university students who previously undertook an enabling or pathway course; and 4) Indigenous students currently participating in an enabling or pathway program at the three case study sites. Findings from a cohort analysis of national data will also be discussed to consider a comprehensive perspective on correlations between enabling and pathway programs and completion rates. Combining this quantitative cohort analysis with the qualitative interview data provides a rich understanding of how Indigenous students progress from pathway programs through university degrees and the links between enabling and pathway programs and success factors for completion. We will conclude by discussing implications for further educational research and consider how the results will assist universities to implement stronger university pathway programs to prepare and support Indigenous student success and completion.



References

Fredericks, B., Barney, K., Bunda, T., Hausia, K., Martin, A., Elston, J., Bernardino, B., and Griffiths, D. (2022). Building the evidence to improve completion rates for Indigenous students. Bentley, WA, Australia: National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education.