Using Predictive Modelling to Inform Early Alert and Intrusive Advising Interventions and Improve Retention

Researchers develop a model to forecast dropout rates, better support students Can a mathematical equation predict which students are most likely to drop out? Yes, according to the findings of a new report published by the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO). Researchers at Mohawk College and the Education Policy Research Initiative (EPRI) developed […]

Categories

Jackie Pichette — Rethinking Access: What we heard and what comes next

By 2025: Every Ontario student has an equitable opportunity to attend and succeed in postsecondary education. HEQCO’s long-term goal for access to higher education was front and centre at our 2017 conference, Rethinking Access: When non-traditional is the new normal. It was also the focus of a conference first for us: a hands-on, interactive workshop, […]

Data Infrastructure for Studying Equity of Access to Postsecondary Education in Ontario

​​Access data in Ontario is incomplete and disconnected , limiting research potential While Ontario has a high proportion of citizens with postsecondary credentials , there are still certain groups underrepresented in the higher education system. Within the province there is a large pool of information on factors that may be important in developing policies and […]

Q Success: Supporting underrepresented students in transition

Queen’s transition program of significant interest to underrepresented students First-year undergraduate students can benefit from programs designed to smooth their transition into postsecondary education and such programs are of particular interest to students who are underrepresented in higher education, according to a new report from the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO). Initially piloted […]

Categories

Fiona Deller and Martin Hicks — Spoiler alert: It’s the Ontario Education Number

With Thursday’s unveiling of the 2017 provincial budget, we’re reminded that last year’s budget included an announcement (with great fanfare) of reforms to the Ontario Student Assistance Program, or OSAP. Those reforms were designed to encourage and support more low-income youth to attend postsecondary education, and, as HEQCO has said before, that’s a really great […]

Categories

It’sNotAcademic – The podcast: Episode five with Bobby Watt

Welcome to the latest episode of ItsNotAcademic – the podcast, education conversations from HEQCO. In anticipation of our Rethinking Access conference we have explored many dimensions of access on this podcast, but one area we have not yet discussed is the skilled trades. The trades are often left out of conversations about postsecondary education, despite […]

Categories

It’sNotAcademic – The podcast: Episode four with Jay Gosselin

Welcome to the latest episode of ItsNotAcademic – the podcast, education conversations from HEQCO. The importance of mentorship and positive role models is often discussed in conversations around promoting access to higher education. Obviously these concepts are important, but why? What need do mentors serve and how do you identify and connect with students who […]

Categories

Jackie Pichette — OSAP’s transformation: Just the ticket?

Without the money for a trip around the world, would you expect to go? Without the expectation of taking the trip, would you bother purchasing a guide book, packing your bags or booking flights? It’s a crude analogy, but consider the parallels for high school students and postsecondary education. If students don’t believe they have […]

Categories

Cassandra Cao – EduData: Students’ Perspectives on OSAP

The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is currently undergoing a number of changes aimed at increasing transparency and access for students. In the first phase of its transformation, OSAP bundled existing grants into a single Ontario Student Grant, making tuition effectively free for eligible low-income students. Phase two (2018-2019) will roll out net-tuition billing, whereby […]