Parents and students
What do you want to be when you grow up? This is an age old question and yet students of all year-levels have trouble answering it. Answers to this question affect what subjects students pick in school, what opportunities are available to them, their self-confidence, and their future employment. What factors influence a student's answer to this question? The Aspirations Study aims to work with families and their communities to increase opportunities for students and help them realise their career and educational ambitions.
We're inviting students who were in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 in 2012 to participate for four years. We'd also like parents/carers to participate as well.
Here are some frequently asked questions about participating in the study.
What activities are part of the research?
We have two surveys - one for students and one for parents/carers. So we can see how career and education aspirations change over time, we'd like you and your child to complete one survey each year for four years. We are also going to hold discussions with some parents/carers and we'll send more information in 2013.
The Aspirations Study is a four-year project that works with students, families, teachers, schools, and communities to understand students' career and education goals. We will use the information to develop strategies to help students achieve their goals. People involved in the study will play a part in creating more opportunities for future generations of students and helping them to achieve their dreams.
If your child's school has joined the study, they will send home an information pack. In this pack is a short letter for you to read and consider. Please discuss the research with your child.
If you are happy for your child to be part of the study, then you do not need to do anything. If you do not want your child to take part, please fill in the blue withdrawal form and return it to your child's school. You can also contact the school and tell them to withdraw your child from the research.
How do I participate in research activities?
The school will give you a link to complete the online survey. If you prefer to fill out a paper copy of the survey, please request one from your child's school. Please return completed paper surveys to the school in the privacy envelope provided. Confidentiality is assured. Schools and teachers will never see your personal information.
How does my child participate?
Each year, all students in the participating year groups will be asked to complete the online survey during class time. Early feedback from the pilot study says this is a useful way of discussing research processes, and encouraging students to think about their future education and career plans. If you withdraw your child's participation in the study, the DEC will delete their survey responses before providing the data to the research team.
Can I ask some more questions about the study?
Certainly! Please email us at aspirations@newcastle.edu.au. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter or Google+. Or you can telephone the research hotline on (02) 4985 4908.
This page does not contain all the information you need about the study. Please read the information statement before considering whether or not you wish to participate.
