LSAY Technical Reports

Publication Date

5-2006

Abstract

In 1995, a nationally representative sample of approximately 13,000 Year 9 students was selected to form the first cohort of the new Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth program. The sample was constructed by randomly selecting two Year 9 classes from a national sample of 300 schools designed to represent state and sector. Reading and numeracy tests were administered to students in their schools to provide information on school achievement for use in later analyses of educational and labour market participation. Students also completed a background questionnaire about their educational and vocational plans and attitudes to school. In 1996, these students provided information in response to a mailed questionnaire. Information was also obtained from their schools about curricula and organisation. In 1997, members of the sample were contacted in the first of the annual telephone interviews (conducted by AC Nielsen, then Reark Research). That questionnaire included questions on school; transitions from school; post school education and training; work; job history; job search history; non-labour force activities; health, living arrangements and finance; and general attitudes. Subsequent surveys (now conducted by the Wallis Consulting Group) have asked similar questions but with the emphasis changing over time from school, to post-school education and training, and to work. Details on the 1995 survey are provided in LSAY Technical Report No. 9 (not publicly distributed). Details of the subsequent telephone surveys are covered by Technical Reports Nos. 11, 17, 18, 21, 25, 27, 28 and 31. The 2005 Y95 Telephone Survey was conducted with 4233 of the 4597 participants who formed the 2004 sample, the remainder having withdrawn from the study prior to the interviews. Of the active sample, 4233 useable interviews were completed successfully (92% of the active sample). There were 157 refusals (3% of the active sample). The remainder could not be contacted. The 2005 sample consisted primarily of young people in the seventh year following the completion of secondary school. The survey instrument collects data on their educational and labour market participation. It has a particular emphasis on pathways through further education and training, and life-long learning. The survey involves around 25 minutes of telephone interview time.

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