Recent data has shown a concerning trend in the proportion of West Australian public high school students completing year 12. Over the past decade, WA has witnessed a significant decline in retention rates, with the most dramatic drop compared to other states and territories in the country. In 2014, WA boasted a retention rate close to 96% for students from year 7/8 through to year 12, second only to the ACT. However, by 2023, this number had plummeted to just over 75%.
Conversely, retention rates for non-government schools in WA have shown an improvement, increasing from 82.3% in 2014 to 87.2% in 2023. The latest Report on Government Services released in 2023 also highlighted that the number of 15-24-year-olds in WA fully engaged in education or work post-school was the lowest in the country, standing at just over 50% compared to almost 78% in 2022, marking a significant drop of nearly 30% in just one year, with the national average at over 67%.
Associate Professor Brad Gobby from Edith Cowan University’s school of education expressed concern over these steep declines, attributing low high school retention to students in regional areas, from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, and Indigenous communities. Gobby emphasized the importance of adequate support for students’ learning progress and aspirations, highlighting the need to make learning engaging and meaningful for all students.
An analysis of secondary pathways in WA revealed a 9% decrease in students opting for ATAR courses since 2016. State Education Minister Tony Buti’s commissioned report outlined six key imperatives, including the need to enhance student retention rates. The Department of Education’s strategy and policy executive director Raechelle Lee noted that while the 2014 retention rate seemed inflated, it was influenced by the state’s high net migration rate at the time.
The decline in student retention rates underscores the challenges faced by the education system in fostering long-term academic success and career prospects for young individuals. Efforts to address these issues must involve a multi-faceted approach that considers socio-economic factors, regional disparities, and the diverse needs of students across different educational settings.
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