Post-school choices: How well does academic achievement predict the tertiary education choices of school leavers?

Publication Details

This report examines the association between academic achievement at secondary school and participation in the various types of tertiary education. This new research supports the government's goal of improving outcomes for young people.

It provides a complement to the report How does achievement at school affect achievement in tertiary education?, which explores the relationship between academic achievement at secondary school and first-year achievement in tertiary education.

Author(s): Scott Ussher

Date Published: May 2008

Key Findings:

While academic achievement was a strong predictor of post-school choice, it had a stronger association with participation in bachelors-level study than other post-school choices.
Attaining a level 3 NCEA qualification increased the likelihood of a school leaver participating in level 4 to 7 non-degree study at a tertiary education provider and bachelors-level study. However, attaining a level 3 NCEA qualification over a level 2 qualification did not increase the likelihood of a school leaver participating in industry training.
Attaining better results in level 1 NCEA standards increased the likelihood of a school leaver participating in level 4 to 7 non-degree study at a tertiary education provider and bachelors-level study but not participation in industry training.