Research Summary: Carving paths of desire; and, Student mobility in Ontario A framework and decision making tool for building better pathways

Abstract

The Ontario government has prioritized student pathways within education and between education and the labour market. The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities 2015–2016 strategic plan states that “the system will blend academic with applied learning and ensure that transitions are seamless whether it is from high school, between postsecondary education institutions, or between school and work” (Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, 2015, p. 3). The government has spent years investing in research and strategy to achieve these ends. In 2011, the Ontario government set out three goals for a province wide credit transfer system to: “expand and improve pathways to respond to student demand; improve transparency and access to information about pathways and credit transfer; [and,] support student success” (Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, 2011). At the same time, the Government established the Ontario Council for Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT), a government agency designed to support credit transfer and mobility of Ontario students. With a five-‐year mandate to improve student mobility in Ontario’s public institutions (ONCAT, 2013) the agency has supported research, partnerships and projects to further the systematic capacity for student choice and opportunity. This research was undertaken to support the government’s three goals for pathways in Ontario. Contributing to the four years of substantial research, knowledge building and reflection by ONCAT, this study synthesises current theories and research on student mobility, institutional partnerships and pathways, and presents the current patterns of student flows and institutional agreements in Ontario.

Description

Keywords

higher education, student mobility, Ontario, educational pathways

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Creative Commons

Attribution 4.0 International

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