Barriers and enablers for Pasifika students in gaining University Entrance

Abstract

The Pasifika Education Plan 2013-2017 set a target to increase the number of Pasifika school leavers with University Entrance to at least achieve parity with non-Pasifika school leavers by 2017. This target coincided with changes in the requirements that made up University Entrance which were introduced in 2014. After two years with the new requirements, Pasifika school leavers had not yet gained parity with non-Pasifika students; indeed a greater disparity had resulted. This study focused on what two schools were doing that might be mitigating this inequity of academic outcomes for Pasifika students. This mixed method case study analysed the 2014 and 2015 achievement data of Pasifika students from two Auckland secondary schools. The findings suggested that one University Entrance requirement, in particular, the 14+ credits over three approved subject criterion, posed the greatest barrier to these Pasifika students in gaining University Entrance. Interviews were conducted with four school leaders and two past students over both schools to explore why some of the University Entrance requirements were a barrier to these Pasifika students. These interviews also showed that the systems and strategies the schools were using, for example, academic programme advice, tracking of achievement data and home/school partnerships, were perceived as largely supporting Pasifika students to gain University Entrance but that aspects of these strategies may also have created barriers.