Community attitudes to education in the Colac Otway Shire

School retention and attainment rates in regional and rural Australia tend to be lower than in metropolitan areas.

Our small study in Colac Otway Shire in western Victoria aimed to explore local assumptions that poorer educational outcomes are related to the ways that communities value or undervalue education.

The short report draws on an online survey and interviews with residents and educators.

This study was commissioned by Beyond the Bell Colac Otway Local Action Group, supported by Regional Development Victoria and the Colac Otway Shire.