Debates in HE ASS 3

Aims To describe development of HE post- war To analyse the “widening participation” debate

History Robbins Report 1963 –216,000 students 1962/3 –390,000 students 1973/4 –560,000 students 1980/1 –2,480,145 students 2004/5 Rejected limited pool of ability –HE needed for economic growth –good society requires equal ops

Dearing Report (NCIHE) Reported 1997 Summary of last 20 years –number of students more than doubled –public funding for HE up by 45% –unit of funding per student down by 40% –public funding for HE, as% of GDP, same

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Leitch Report n/index.cfm?fuseaction=content.view& CategoryID=21&ContentID=37http:// n/index.cfm?fuseaction=content.view& CategoryID=21&ContentID=37 role of FE Emphasis on skills

Stakeholders Government – DfES –Treasury Employers Parents Students Academics

Implications of figures Low rate of participation –age –gender –class –ethnicity

There has been growth –1950 5% of relevant age group in HE – % of school leavers go to FE/HE – % of age group in HE in England –45% of age group in Scotland Government aim is 50%

Problems % of 18-21s entered HE (UK) SEGs 1, 2 & 3 49% into HE SEGs 4 & % into HE SEG 1 80% into HE SEG 5 14% into HE 1990 SEG 5 6% but SEGs %

Policy Issues Definition of “widening participation” Participation in what –for how long –in what way –in what institution Widened –not just increase numbers –diversity - non traditional students

Equality WP not just about enrolling need to look at achievement, outcomes & involvement in HE including teaching and research Not equal opps re access but re OUTCOME

Policies Access courses –non-traditional pathway to traditional HE Just increase numbers –misses excluded groups Limit expansion to excluded groups –problem of equity Aim Higher

Barriers to participation & retention Risks Resistance Cultural factors Structural inequalities Money & time HE culture

Facilitating factors Knowing someone Student composition Alternative entry routes

Conclusion Archer (2001) -Govt assumptions wrong underestimate complexity of issue FORMAL equality insufficient Need effective targeting