The link between academic achievement and labour market outcomes is well established. But how well does a student's achievement in a test predict their later success in life? This study examines this question, with 'success' considered to encompass satisfaction with life together with the extent to which young people are fully occupied with education, employment or a combination of these. Low performers in mathematics in the 2003 Programme for International Student Assessment were the focus. The study found that 'low performing' status has little impact on future success. Further, students who saw the value of mathematics for their future success were more likely to achieve this success.
The subjects that Year 12 students choose to study for their secondary school certificate have a major influence on the educational and career options left open to them after finishing school. This study looks at what the typical clusters of subjects or course types studied by Year 12 students are. It also investigates whether these have changed as a result of the increased participation in vocational education and training (VET) subjects and with the apparent broadening of subject choices across the Key Learning Areas. The report looks at whether there are particular courses that are more likely to be studied by males or females, or those from different social backgrounds. It also analyses what field of study or work students from particular course types tend to lean towards. Research report no. 42 This report, published by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), is part of the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) research program.