What were they thinking? Motivations of at-risk students

A student is formally classified as at-risk when they fail to meet minimum standards of academic performance. The consequence is exclusion unless performance improves. Our exploratory study seeks to classify the demographics of at-risk students and compare these with personal values, drawn out through in-depth interviews, as influencers of student performance and at-risk status. We also consider engagement with the at-risk process as a possible explanation of and future at risk status. The sample comprises an Australian University operating two multi-cultural campuses in two different countries, Australia and Singapore. The results of such research can have a significant impact on the development of pastoral care and intervention programs to assist students better achieve their learning goals and meet graduation goals for tertiary institutions.