The value of stage 6 Aboriginal studies for indigenous students' self-concepts in NSW secondary schools

Many attempts have been made to implement programs into NSW secondary schools to provide opportunities for Aboriginal students to attain successful completion of Year 12. Despite these initiatives research has found that many Aboriginal students are still more likely to leave school when they reach the legal leaving age. However, there is one initiative that is yet to be evaluated - the implementation of Stage 6 Aboriginal Studies - a Higher School Certificate course introduced into 13 secondary schools across NSW in 1991. This course is postulated to: Provide students with 'cultural immersion' where personal knowledge and experience is valued; raise self-concept and confidence to continue onto completion of Year 12; and provide the opportunity to use skills developed in the course to empower Aboriginal students to follow career paths in areas such as law, health and education. In this paper the rationale for evaluating the impact of Stage 6 Aboriginal Studies courses upon the self-concepts and aspirations of Aboriginal students is presented along with a proposed research design to begin to investigate this issue.