Analysis of equity groups in higher education 1991-2002
A report which presents an analysis of the performance of equity groups in higher education during the period 1991-2002 and an investigation into whether the definition of equity groups is still appropriate.
Abstract
As background material for a new review of the higher education equity policy framework (Backing Australia’s Future, 2003), the Centre for the Study of Higher Education (CSHE) was commissioned to: analyse and report on the performance of current equity groups since 1991; analyse the extent to which students experience multiple disadvantage and how this might influence their higher education performance; assess whether the current equity groups best reflect those students who are disadvantaged in higher education; and assess the adequacy of the current definitions of equity groups. Five equity groups were analysed: people from low socioeconomic background, those from rural or isolated areas; those with disabilities; Non-English speaking background people; and women, especially in non-traditional areas of study and higher degrees. The higher education performance of Indigenous people was outside the scope of this study. The project’s major conclusions were that special emphasis should be given within the policy framework to people from low socioeconomic background (especially those who were also from rural or isolated areas), as this group continues to be under-represented in higher education. It also recommended that universities be required to monitor and report the higher education performance of identified population subgroups as appropriate even if these groups were not designated as equity groups at the time. In addition to these general points, a total of 18 specific recommendations were made, encompassing each equity group.
Author(s)
Richard James; Gabrielle Baldwin; Hamish Coates; Kerrie-Lee Krause; and others;
Centre for the Study of Higher Education, The University of Melbourne
Publication Details
| Type : |
Reports |
| Published : |
2004 |
Topics Covered
| Sectors : |
|
| Detailed :
|
| Disability |
| Equity and access |
| Quality |
| Rural, regional and remote |
|
Availability
Executive summary: view HTML
Report: download PDF 
(464.3 KB, 114 pages)
Split files:
Introduction: download RTF 
(629.7 KB, 19 pages)
Chapter 1: download RTF (429.4 KB, 8 pages)
Chapter 2: download RTF (3.1 MB, 45 pages)
Chapter 3: download RTF (383.7 KB, 8 pages)
Chapter 4: download RTF (5.6 MB, 33 pages)
References: download RTF (319.4 KB, 2 pages)