Government's $7m will help set students on the path to success

By STUART DYE


A research programme to overcome educational "choke points" will today be given $7.7 million by the Prime Minister.

The University of Auckland's Starpath project will be awarded the grant under the new Partnerships for Excellence scheme, which offers state funds to match private support for tertiary research.

Professor Dame Anne Salmond, Starpath project leader, says the programme will help the nation to address disparities in educational achievement.

A programme will be crafted in collaboration with schools and tertiary institutions on how to identify critical transition or "choke points" for their students, and develop strategies to overcome these.

Choke points are stages in the educational pathway where students either step up to the next level of achievement and aspiration, or fail to progress.

"Almost one in five students leaves secondary school without formal qualifications and unless we address this, there is little chance of building a prosperous and cohesive knowledge society," said Dame Anne.

Starpath is a three-year project designed to transform educational outcomes for students under-represented at tertiary level.

It aims to set under-achievers on the path to success by ensuring that at key transition points in their education, they realise their potential.