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Intervention and Outcomes for Pasifika Students: A New Zealand Private Tertiary Education Provider (PTE) Case Study

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Abstract

Pasifika learners comprise a significant number of students in the New Zealand education system. In terms of educational performance, Pasifika learners generally have lower success rates and academic achievements than other student groups at both secondary and tertiary levels. The aim of this paper was to review current governance, investigate student support and evaluate outcomes at a New Zealand tertiary institution. Data collection occurred in three phases. The first stage of the research saw 37 student questionnaires completed between May and June 2014, phase two consisted of semi-structured interviews with graduate students between September and October 2015. Phase three in March 2016 entailed the analysis of learner achievement records. The results of the research illustrated that Pasifika students’ experience was improved through a variety of learning support systems being available to them. Participants identified that the most valuable student support systems were study skills support and study buddies. Pasifika students also recognised that having a supportive environment that respected Pasifika cultural values and building trust in relationships with staff enhanced their learning experience. In conclusion, a variety of appropriate support systems and a culturally sensitive environment are needed to enrich Pasifika students’ tertiary learning experience and achieving positive graduate outcomes. The insights provided by this paper will help develop student support systems that improve graduate outcomes of Pasifika learners, forming a template that can be implemented at tertiary institutions in New Zealand.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Auckland Institute of Studies, 120 Asquith Avenue, Mt. Albert, Auckland, 1025, New Zealand

    Nick Towner, Semisi Taumoepeau, Beena Lal & Tamendi Pranish

Authors
  1. Nick Towner
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  2. Semisi Taumoepeau
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  3. Beena Lal
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  4. Tamendi Pranish
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nick Towner.

Appendices

Appendix 1: Questionnaire


Dear Pasifika student


We seek your kind cooperation in completing this questionnaire as part of a study to measure the effectiveness of t learning support systems for the Pasifika student group. Please hand in the completed questionnaire to the Reception desk.

Thank you.

Pasifika Research Team

24th March 2014

Introductory Statement

This study is being carried out to find out the effectiveness of the various support mechanisms in place in assisting students of Pasifika descent, both in academic studies and their overall well being. The information provided by you will be beneficial in not only measuring the effectiveness of our current practices, but also in providing even better facilities and services to help improve chances of academic success and general welfare for Pasifika students.


Your responses will be kept absolutely confidential. The results collected from the survey will be used for the purposes of this research only and you have the option of withdrawing from the survey at any time should you wish to.


We appreciate your assistance in providing us this information.

(Place a tick (✓) in the appropriate box for Questions 1–7)

Question 1

Which student category do you belong to?

Question 2

What is your gender?

Question 3

Please specify from which Pacific Island you are from?

Question 4

What is/was your programme of study?

Question 5

Please indicate the year of completion of your study

Question 6

How satisfied are/were you with the overall education experience?

Question 7

How would you rate your experience of our course/programme delivery?

Question 8

How would you rate the following aspects of your learning support? Please tick (✓) accordingly

  

Extremely satisfied

Mostly satisfied

Satisfied

Not satisfied

Extremely not satisfied

a

Study skills support (e.g. workshops, one to one, performance monitoring)

     

b

Study buddies

     

c

Special midweek study groups

     

d

Whanau evenings

     

e

Extra class tutorials

     

f

One to one tutorial/consultation with teacher

     

g

Building relationships and trust

     

h

Supportive environment (E.g. Library, e-learning and parental support etc.)

     

i

Support from student services

     

j

Other aspects of learning support (please specify and rate accordingly)

     

Question 9

Please rank and comment on how these learning supports have/had been effective in contributing towards your academic study/success. (Use numbers 1 to 10 for ranking: 1 being the least effective and 10 being most effective)

  

Rank of effectiveness

Comments on the effectiveness or otherwise of the learning support

a

Study skills support (E.g. workshops, one to one, performance monitoring)

  

b

Study buddies

  

c

Special midweek study groups

  

d

Whanau evenings

  

e

Extra class tutorials

  

f

One to one tutorial/consultation with teacher

  

g

Building relationship and trust

  

h

Supportive environment (E.g. Library, e-learning and parental support

  

i

Support from student services advisor

  

j

Other aspects of learning support (please specify and rank accordingly)

  

Question 10

How have the above support systems been valuable for you (Choose the options applicable to you by placing ticks (✓) in the appropriate columns below). You can place more than one tick)

  

Study skills support (E.g. workshops, one to one, performance monitoring)

Special workshops

Whanau evenings

Extra tutorials

One to one

Relationships and trust

Supportive environment (E.g. library, e-learning and parental support

a

Useful in understanding difficult concepts in my own language

       

b

Helped me prepare for tests and exams

       

c

Helped me achieve better results/grades in assessments (exams and assignments)

       

d

Helped me feel comfortable and confident when dealing with my studies

       

e

Helped me feel at home when studying here at AIS

       

f

Helped me cope better with the expectations of studying in a western education system

       

Question 11

Please suggest any other ways in which AIS can improve the support mechanisms.

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Towner, N., Taumoepeau, S., Lal, B. et al. Intervention and Outcomes for Pasifika Students: A New Zealand Private Tertiary Education Provider (PTE) Case Study. NZ J Educ Stud 52, 211–232 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40841-017-0081-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40841-017-0081-4

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