Academic Engagement of Recent Immigrant Adult Students (RIAS) in Postsecondary Education: A Case Study of Ontario Colleges and Universities

Research Summary: Postsecondary Institutions Not Meeting the Unique Needs of Recent Immigrant Adult Students Postsecondary education (PSE) institutions play a vital role in helping recent immigrant adult students integrate into Canadian society. However, most colleges and universities are not identifying, or responding to, the specific needs of this unique group of learners. A new study […]

Patterns of Persistence in Postsecondary Education: New Evidence for Ontario

Research Summary: Drop-outs More Likely in First Year but Numbers Lower than Previously Thought The first year of postsecondary education (PSE) is a critical time for students, with most “drop-outs” taking place during this period. However, simply looking at an institution’s “drop-out” figures only tells a part of the story, missing students who switch programs […]

Special Needs Students and Transitions to Postsecondary Education

Research Summary: Special needs students: Improving pathways to higher education Special education in Ontario and elsewhere is under intense scrutiny as calls for greater equity push schools toward more inclusive policies and practices, including those that improve the likelihood of special needs students pursuing postsecondary education (PSE). While there have been a number of promising […]

Financial Literacy of Low-income Students: Literature Review and Environmental Scan

Research Summary: Low knowledge of costs, benefits and financial aid pose barrier to higher education Ontario postsecondary enrolments are rising, but not among students from low-income families.  And of those low-income students who do pursue higher education, approximately half are not taking advantage of government grants and loans designed to help them. Students who could […]

@ Issue Paper No. 11 Participation of Low-Income Students in Ontario

Research Summary: Low knowledge of costs, benefits and financial aid pose barrier to higher education Ontario postsecondary enrolments are rising, but not among students from low-income families.  And of those low-income students who do pursue higher education, approximately half are not taking advantage of government grants and loans designed to help them. Students who could […]

Understanding the Gender Gap in University Participation: An Exploration of the Application Behaviour of Ontario High School Students

Research Summary:  High school course selection and tracking significant factors in PSE gender gap High school course selection and the practice of tracking (which divides high school students into academic or applied classes based on aptitude and interest) might help explain why more Canadian women than men are pursuing a postsecondary education.   A new study […]

@ Issue Paper No. 9 Adult Learners in Ontario Postsecondary Institutions

Executive Summary: Adults Who Would Benefit Most from Education Are Least Likely to Participate Adults with high literacy levels are three times more likely to participate in adult learning in Ontario than those with low literacy levels. As a result, those who would benefit most from further education are missing potential social and economic opportunities, […]

@ 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 […]