SPP

We are working on three Strategic Priority Projects (SPPs) during 2016 in response to needs that have been identified through community engagement work in 2015. The projects are one way of sharing WCE findings and putting them to good use to support positive system change and increased understanding among key stakeholders.

Language Literacy and Numeracy (LLN)

A key strategy that emerged from WCE research and discussion with the six communities was to employ Indigenous leaders, passionate about education - to provide direction, increase local engagement, and build understanding of campus-based staff through information inter-change and working in close partnership. The Indigenous voice remained central to all WCE activities. The need for a Strategic Priority Project on Indigenous adult Language Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) was clearly identified by Indigenous people (see Part 2 of the Action Statement) in 6 remote communities this need extends across urban, regional and remote areas of the NT, and is present in the general population as well.A key strategy that emerged from WCE research and discussion with the six communities was to employ Indigenous leaders, passionate about education - to provide direction, increase local engagement, and build understanding of campus-based staff through information inter-change and working in close partnership. The Indigenous voice remained central to all WCE activities.

About the Strategic Priority Projects

Each project will also be supported by a group of Charles Darwin University subject experts who will guide and evaluate the project work. These groups of Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff will consider research findings from interviews, focus groups and case studies.Together we will look at some of the outcomes of interviews with staff and students from CDU, and staff from BIITE, NAILSMA and the NT Dept. of Education.

Together we will workshop the things that are both helping and holding back Indigenous access to vocational education and training (VET) and Higher Education pathways, and we will then put forward suggestions for positive change.There are 3 main SPPs

Project 1: Language Literacy Numeracy (LLN)

This project will look deeply at factors which help and hold back appropriate LLN support for remote Indigenous students in the NT.We will develop priorities focused on strategies, actions and systems improvements.

Project 2: VET to Higher Education Pathway

The aim of this project is to get more people moving along the educational pathway between VET) and Higher Education.We will produce and share information to increase understanding of study and career pathways within communities. We aim also to get a better understanding of student and staff experiences and opinions relating to VET to HE pathways.

Project 3: Enhancing support and structures for remote Indigenous Students: levers for systems change and whole-of university approaches

This project aims to increase understanding of the factors that help and hold back access and outcomes for Indigenous learners in Higher Education. We will interview Indigenous graduates and under-graduates, staff (Indigenous and non-Indigenous) and collect stories of success. With their permission we will share Indigenous views, opinions and experience. We will also suggest levers for positive change within Higher Education in the NT. We will draw on information from the past and from the present.

We welcome questions and feedback from the community, government departments and media who are interested in our initiative and community activities.