Community Insights into School Disengagement

Perspectives from a Regional-Rural Australian Context

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47381/aijre.v35i2.791

Keywords:

school disengagement, dropout, children, students, qualitative, regional, rural

Abstract

School disengagement is a significant issue in regional and rural Australian communities. Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive understanding of the relational, individual, and environmental factors that influence disengagement. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of community members who have experience working with disengaged school-aged children. The research applied the bioecological model of development to examine how Process, Person, Context, and Time factors contribute to school disengagement. Data were collected through five focus groups with 24 participants from diverse professional backgrounds and sectors within a socioeconomically disadvantaged regional and rural area in Australia. A thematic analysis identified ten key themes within the Process, Person, Context, and Time framework. Process factors included parent-child and teacher-student interactions. Person factors encompassed mental health challenges, diverse learning needs, antisocial behaviours, and personal and interpersonal skills. Context factors involved the home environment, parental disengagement, school systems and structures, and broader regional and community challenges. Time revealed disengagement to be a cumulative and dynamic process. This study highlights the importance of incorporating local perspectives to better understand school disengagement and calls for tailored interventions that address its complex nature alongside context-specific policies and practices to promote long-term educational engagement. Furthermore, the study emphasises the importance of prioritising teacher professional development and encouraging policymakers to implement reforms in higher education teacher training. These measures should help to equip teachers with the skills needed to support student wellbeing and foster greater engagement in learning.

Author Biographies

Michelle Gossner, Central Queensland University

Michelle Gossner is a PhD candidate at CQUniversity. With a background in education and psychology, she has a keen interest in child and adolescent development. Her research focuses on understanding and addressing the diverse factors that influence the wellbeing and educational outcomes of young people.

Cassy Dittman, Central Queensland University

Dr Cassy Dittman is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology and is a registered psychologist researching in the field of developmental psychology. Her research focuses on the impact of parenting and parent-child relationships on child and adolescent development and wellbeing. She has expertise in the field of evidence-based parenting programs and their capacity to promote mental health and wellbeing in children and parents.

Lisa Lole, Central Queensland University

Dr Lisa Lole is a Lecturer in Psychology at CQUniversity. Her research interests centre around behavioural addictions and community health and wellbeing. She is passionate about conducting applied, transformative research that has a positive real-world impact. Her more recent research has focused on the issues that impact young people from both psychological and public health perspectives.

Lauren Miller-Lewis, Central Queensland University

Dr Lauren Miller-Lewis is a Lecturer in Positive Psychology at CQUniversity. With a background in developmental psychology, her research interests include positive education and the application of strength-based approaches to predicting and promoting mental health resilience and educational resilience during school transitions.

AIJRE 35(2) Cover Page

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Published

29-07-2025

How to Cite

Gossner, M., Dittman, C., Lole, L., & Miller-Lewis, L. (2025). Community Insights into School Disengagement: Perspectives from a Regional-Rural Australian Context. Australian and International Journal of Rural Education, 35(2), 33–50. https://doi.org/10.47381/aijre.v35i2.791

Issue

Vol. 35 No. 2 (2025): Improving Rural and Regional Student Experiences

Section

JOURNAL PAPERS

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Michelle Gossner, Cassy Dittman, Lisa Lole, Lauren Miller-Lewis

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