@ Issue Paper No. 8 An Overview of PSE Accessibility in Ontario

Executive Summary: Efforts to evaluate postsecondary access programs hampered by lack of research data Over 80 per cent of Ontario secondary school students enrol in some type of postsecondary institution by age 21, placing the province among world leaders in postsecondary participation. But gaps in access remain for some groups – most notably those with no parental […]

Educational Attainments and Labour Market Outcomes of the Children of Immigrants in Ontario

Research Summary: For some children of immigrants, educational success doesn’t translate to employment success The children of immigrants represent an increasing segment of the Canadian labour force. Yet while most tend to have higher university attainment rates than children of Canadian-born parents, some, particularly visible minority men, have higher unemployment rates and lower earnings, according […]

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Carolyn Acker: Closing the Achievement Gap

In 2001, as executive director of the Regent Park Community Health Centre, I founded the Pathways to Education program with Norman Rowen.  At the time we didn’t think of ourselves as social entrepreneurs.   We were working hard to break the cycle of poverty and implement the health centre’s vision of “community succession”– that the young […]

Educational Pathways of Youth in Ontario Factors Impacting Educational Pathways

Research Summary: Parental Education, Grades and Social Relationships Remain Strongest Predictors of Postsecondary Participation Youth with highly educated parents, strong overall grades and an academically engaged social network are the most likely to pursue college or university according to a new collaborative report from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) and the Higher Education […]

Understanding the Determinants of Persistence and Academic Success in University: An Exploration of Data from Four Ontario Universities

Research Summary: Academic Success in High School Increases Chances of Graduating University While significant emphasis in Canada has been placed on studying the barriers for access to university, much less has been known about the factors contributing to a student’s success and completion once enrolled, also known as their academic persistence. A new study commissioned […]

Access Engagement Retention and Success of Under-represented Populations at Ryerson University

Research Summary: Access programs aim to reduce barriers to postsecondary education Improving access to and success in postsecondary education is an on-going concern for Ontario’s colleges and universities, particularly for those students who may be struggling to meet admission requirements and/or are among groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education —  including students from lower-income families, […]

Alternative Pathways to University Admission: An Examination of Academic Advising within the Niagara College/Brock University “Partners Program”

Research Summary: Access programs aim to reduce barriers to postsecondary education Improving access to and success in postsecondary education is an on-going concern for Ontario’s colleges and universities, particularly for those students who may be struggling to meet admission requirements and/or are among groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education —  including students from lower-income families, […]

The Impact of Mental Health Problems in the Community College Student Population

Student mental health in higher education a campus-wide challenge From depression to psychotic disorders, mental health issues among young people are a reality, and postsecondary education is feeling the impact.  The challenge for Ontario’s colleges and universities is how to ensure that these students are given the support that they need to successfully complete their […]

@ Issue Paper No. 7 Expanding Opportunities for Graduate Studies: The Recent Experience of Ontario

Executive Summary: Ontario graduate enrolments surge over the last decade by more than 50 per cent Ontario has outpaced the rest of Canada in graduate enrolment growth over the last decade. Doctoral enrolments increased by 67 per cent and master’s enrolments were up by 51 per cent, according to a summary research report by the […]