A landmark national trial has revealed a surprising truth — not all students at risk of dropping out of university respond the same way to support, so universities need to stop treating them like they do.
The study, led by Curtin University and supported by the Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success (ACSES), is the first in a national series of real-world trials testing what actually works to close equity gaps in higher education.
The trial found that while personalised early intervention helped some students make better choices, such as withdrawing early to avoid unnecessary fees and stress, it had little impact on those who were most disengaged. In short: the same support didn’t work for everyone.
ACSES Executive Director Professor Shamit Saggar said this is a wake-up call for the sector.
“We can’t just rely on business-as-usual programs and expect equitable outcomes. Our Trials Registry is designed to generate the evidence universities need to design smarter, more targeted strategies,” Professor Saggar said.
The report, “The impact of academically at-risk student management practices on first year students’ engagement and success”, is now available through the ACSES Trials Registry, Australia’s first national platform dedicated to showcasing rigorous, evidence-based equity trials.
Led by Curtin’s Manager of Transition and First Year Experience, Ella Ewart, the trial used a randomised controlled design to test whether tailored support, such as proactive contact from staff and flexible advice, could improve academic outcomes for first-year students identified as at risk of failing or withdrawing.
The results were nuanced. Students in the medium-risk group (those still somewhat engaged) were more likely to withdraw after receiving support, suggesting they were empowered to make better-informed decisions. However, students in the high-risk group (those who had almost entirely disengaged) did not benefit from the intervention.
“We often assume that early support naturally leads to better outcomes for everyone, but this trial shows it’s not that simple,” Ms Ewart said.
“Some students may need different types of intervention, or even the space to step back. The real challenge is recognising the diversity of student needs and responding with flexibility and care.”
Media Contacts:
Miriam Fisher, ACSES Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Manager
Tel: (08) 9266 4327 Mobile: 0478 266 357 Email: miriam.fisher@curtin.edu.au
Simone Harris, Corporate Communications Specialist, Curtin University
Tel: (08) 9266 4528 Mobile: 0466 563 749 Email: simone.harris@curtin.edu.au
(Wed-Fri)
Lauren Glaskin, Corporate Communications Specialist, Curtin University
Tel: (08) 9266 4241 Mobile: 0401 103 373 Email: lauren.glaskin@curtin.edu.au
(Mon-Wed)
