Positioning for Truancy Innovation: Report for Te Ora Hou Ōtautahi
Project Background
Te Ora Hou Ōtautahi has developed and implemented an innovative approach to working with schools to improve student attendance. The programme is underpinned by recent research into attendance, engagement and wellbeing of rangatahi in mainstream education carried out by The Southern Initiative (2020).
What we did
The exploratory research was underpinned by Māori-centred protocols (Cunningham, 1998) and mixed method approaches including an integrative literature review and interviews with key stakeholders. The literature review examined 40 documents and published material related to the causes of student truancy to identify possible solutions. Eleven stakeholders including whānau, teachers and school leaders who had experienced the programme, were interviewed.
Outcome
Stakeholders interviewed for this report were overwhelmingly supportive of the Te Ora Hou programme and wanted it to be continued and expanded. Interview analysis highlighted the significant challenges that some whānau/families faced in ensuring their children were able to attend school. Findings from this study emphasises the need for innovative programmes such as Te Ora Hou Ōtautahi. Further research is also needed to better understand the long-term impacts and how whānau-led initiatives can better improve student attendance over time.
“We have developed a Whānau Action Plan between my son and I, it’s a living document, I would like to see my boy in school, enjoying it ... that’s my dream.”
- whānau
Find out how we can help you
We’ll work with you to find out what’s working, where investment could be put to best use or how to improve anything not going to plan. We can help you define success and set tangible, measurable goals. And we talk in real language so you can understand and engage with the findings. We engage with the community to conduct community research and consultations for private companies, trusts, government agencies, NGOs and more. But we have a special interest in research that has a purpose - to better society and teach lessons. We aim to help those we work with build capacity to enact positive change.
