1. Debates in HE ASS 3

2. m.mcmanus@shu.ac.uk2 Aims To describe development of HE post- war To analyse the “widening participation” debate

3. m.mcmanus@shu.ac.uk3 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

4. m.mcmanus@shu.ac.uk4 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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17. m.mcmanus@shu.ac.uk17 Leitch Report 2006 http://www.dfes.gov.uk/furthereducatio n/index.cfm?fuseaction=content.view& CategoryID=21&ContentID=37http://www.dfes.gov.uk/furthereducatio n/index.cfm?fuseaction=content.view& CategoryID=21&ContentID=37 role of FE Emphasis on skills

18. m.mcmanus@shu.ac.uk18 Stakeholders Government – DfES –Treasury Employers Parents Students Academics

19. m.mcmanus@shu.ac.uk19 Implications of figures Low rate of participation –age –gender –class –ethnicity

20. m.mcmanus@shu.ac.uk20 There has been growth –1950 5% of relevant age group in HE –1996 70% of school leavers go to FE/HE –1999 30% of age group in HE in England –45% of age group in Scotland Government aim is 50%

21. m.mcmanus@shu.ac.uk21 Problems 1997 31% of 18-21s entered HE (UK) SEGs 1, 2 & 3 49% into HE SEGs 4 & 5 18.4% into HE SEG 1 80% into HE SEG 5 14% into HE 1990 SEG 5 6% but SEGs 1-3 36.7%

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23. m.mcmanus@shu.ac.uk23 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

24. m.mcmanus@shu.ac.uk24 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

25. m.mcmanus@shu.ac.uk25 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 http://www.aimhigher.ac.uk/home/index.cfm http://www.aimhigher.ac.uk/home/index.cfm

26. m.mcmanus@shu.ac.uk26 Barriers to participation & retention Risks Resistance Cultural factors Structural inequalities Money & time HE culture

27. m.mcmanus@shu.ac.uk27 Facilitating factors Knowing someone Student composition Alternative entry routes

28. m.mcmanus@shu.ac.uk28 Conclusion Archer (2001) -Govt assumptions wrong underestimate complexity of issue FORMAL equality insufficient Need effective targeting