From Postsecondary Application to the Labour Market

Research Summary: Work and family stronger influences on under-represented students While the majority of Ontario students recognize the value of postsecondary education (PSE) and want to participate, applicants from under-represented groups are less likely to attend immediately. And the pathways they choose are more influenced by work and family issues, according to a study conducted […]

Aboriginal Self-Identification and Student Data in Ontario’s Postsecondary System: Challenges and Opportunities

Research Summary: New data collection methods will improve evaluation of Aboriginal student access programs While the Province of Ontario has a number of initiatives to increase Aboriginal student participation in postsecondary education (PSE), improving data collection methods will provide more reliable information on the effectiveness of access programs.  Project Description  The Higher Education Quality Council […]

@ Issue Paper No. 4 Forging Pathways: Students Who Transfer Between Ontario Colleges and Universities

Summary: Streamlining transfer process could improve access Making it easier for students to transfer between college and university could increase access to university for students from traditionally under-represented groups. Streamlining the transfer process could particularly benefit these groups, according to Forging Pathways: Students Who Transfer Between Ontario Colleges and Universities, a new @ Issue paper […]

Post High-School Pathways of Immigrant Youth

Research Summary: Immigrant study: C​aribbean students least likely to pursue hi​​​gher education A new study of Toronto high school immigrant students shows that first generation immigrants, particularly those of East Asian background, are most likely to attend university, while Caribbean students are least likely to attend a postsecondary institution or even graduate from high school. […]

Willingness to Pay for Postsecondary Education Among Under-represented Groups

Research Summary: Price concerns and loan aversion pose barriers to post-secondary education  Concerns about the costs of post-secondary education (PSE) and a reluctance to pursue educational loans may be discouraging some students from pursuing a post-secondary education, according to a new research report released today by the Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC), sponsored by […]

Discovering the Benefits of a First Year Experience Program for Under-represented Students: A Preliminary Assessment of Lakehead University’s Gateway Program

Discovering the Benefits of a First Year Experience Program for Under-represented Students: A Preliminary Assessment of Lakehead University’s Gateway Program  Prepared by Sarah Browne and Heather Doyle, Lakehead University Research indicates that non-traditional students –  including first generation students, students with disabilities, visible minorities, and mature students – are becoming the majority on many campuses.  […]

Promising Practices Increasing and Supporting Participation for Aboriginal Students in Ontario

Research Summary: This paper is the result of a review of over 40 programs in Ontario colleges and universities that were designed to increase recruitment, participation and retention of Aboriginal students in postsecondary education. It involved a literature review, site visits to 6 postsecondary institutions and qualitative interviews with program administrators and coordinators at 28 […]

Identifying Trends and Supports for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder Transitioning into Postsecondary

Research Summary: This paper has two goals: 1) to identify the numbers of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who will be graduating with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma and entering postsecondary studies in 2009, 2010 and 2011, and 2) to perform a gap analysis comparing the services provided in secondary schools with those currently […]

University Participation and Income Differences An Analysis of Applications by Ontario Secondary School Students

Research Summary: “University Participation and Income Differences: An Analysis of Applications by Ontario Secondary School Students” looks at the link between postsecondary education participation and family income status. By reviewing applications to Ontario universities from 1995 to 2005 the authors are able to determine that students in low income neighbourhoods are 13 per cent less […]