Curriculum 2000 : the relationship between course choice and career aspirations
Curriculum 2000 : the relationship between course choice and career aspirations
This study explores factors influencing choices of AS and A2 courses, and post-18 progression pathways, made by the first Curriculum 2000 cohort of students in a large sixth form college in Hampshire. A high proportion of students in this college studied four or five AS levels and many chose at least one subject which they had not studied before. Data from the College's management information system were analysed to identify and track 544 students' changing preferences for A2 courses, as stated in March and June of their first year of study, together with final choices made in the second year. Reasons for choices, and changes to these, were explored in interviews with 19 students. A questionnaire survey, conducted in January of their second year of study, was completed by 328 students. This explored reasons for changes to post-18 progression aims which had occurred since September of their first year. Statistical analysis allowed possible links between changes in progression aims and changes to A2 course choices to be identified. Key findings are the high degree of instability in students' choices of A2 courses, and the primacy of enjoyment and perceived potential for success in choice of subjects. It also emerged that, once they had made their A2 choices, many students prioritised between AS courses in an effort to manage workload. The influence of parental advice, both on course choices and on progression aims, was also found to be significant. The experience of studying subjects at AS level emerged as a very strong influence on choice of post-18 destination, as students took advantage of the greater flexibility afforded by Curriculum 2000 to delay, or change, career decisions. Implications and recommendations for student guidance are suggested by the study.
University of Southampton
Sandison, Teresa Jane
062359c1-8030-4e85-8806-b4978efb04a4
2003
Sandison, Teresa Jane
062359c1-8030-4e85-8806-b4978efb04a4
Sandison, Teresa Jane
(2003)
Curriculum 2000 : the relationship between course choice and career aspirations.
University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.
Record type:
Thesis
(Doctoral)
Abstract
This study explores factors influencing choices of AS and A2 courses, and post-18 progression pathways, made by the first Curriculum 2000 cohort of students in a large sixth form college in Hampshire. A high proportion of students in this college studied four or five AS levels and many chose at least one subject which they had not studied before. Data from the College's management information system were analysed to identify and track 544 students' changing preferences for A2 courses, as stated in March and June of their first year of study, together with final choices made in the second year. Reasons for choices, and changes to these, were explored in interviews with 19 students. A questionnaire survey, conducted in January of their second year of study, was completed by 328 students. This explored reasons for changes to post-18 progression aims which had occurred since September of their first year. Statistical analysis allowed possible links between changes in progression aims and changes to A2 course choices to be identified. Key findings are the high degree of instability in students' choices of A2 courses, and the primacy of enjoyment and perceived potential for success in choice of subjects. It also emerged that, once they had made their A2 choices, many students prioritised between AS courses in an effort to manage workload. The influence of parental advice, both on course choices and on progression aims, was also found to be significant. The experience of studying subjects at AS level emerged as a very strong influence on choice of post-18 destination, as students took advantage of the greater flexibility afforded by Curriculum 2000 to delay, or change, career decisions. Implications and recommendations for student guidance are suggested by the study.
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Published date: 2003
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Local EPrints ID: 465060
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/465060
PURE UUID: a71de4a5-2f02-4102-a255-33c94527becb
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Date deposited: 05 Jul 2022 00:19
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 19:55
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Author:
Teresa Jane Sandison
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