An Investigation into the Attendance and Retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Students: Research and theory about what works.

This presentation is based on an Issues paper commissioned by the Closing the Gap Clearinghouse (Purdie & Buckley, 2010). This paper was designed to inform policy makers and service providers in the area of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students’ school attendance and retention. During the presentation, we will highlight issues in analysing school attendance and retention for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students; the gap in school attendance and retention and the causes of this gap; and the success or otherwise of the various programs and initiatives designed to reduce the gap. Issues in the quality of the data and research will also be considered. The presentation will incorporate an opportunity for audience members to reflect on and discuss the issues presented.