Australian Students Dropping out in Record Numbers

One in every five Australian students is not completing the full 13 years of basic education and the attendance rate of students in years seven to 10 has declined dramatically, a new report from the Productivity Commission reveals. Nationally, just 79 percent of students completed year 12, compared to 83.3 percent five years earlier. Nationally, the retention rate was lowest in the Northern Territory—at 62.6 percent—and Tasmania—at 71.7 percent. Australian Capital Territory (ACT) students were the most likely to stay in school, at 87.8 percent. There are marked differences between different cohorts. For instance, students living outside of major cities, and those from poorer families, have worse results for attendance, retention, engagement, and achievement during their school years....