Welfare Reform on the Web (April 2002): Education - UK - Higher
"CLASSIFICATION" AND "JUDGEMENT" : SOCIAL CLASS AND THE COGNITIVE STRUCTURE OF CHOICE OF HIGHER EDUCATION
S. J. Ball et al
British Journal of Sociology of Education, vol. 23, 2002, p. 51-72
This study of choice of higher education (HE) focused on two cohorts of students, their parents and various intermediaries (careers teachers, sixth-form tutors, etc) in six institutions. Many working class students qualified to enter HE excluded themselves. Others who did apply avoided certain institutions. Conversely, other institutions for a combination of negative and positive factors, were particularly attractive to working class and minority ethnic applicants.
FINDING OUT ABOUT PEOPLE'S DISABILITIES: A GOOD PRACTICE GUIDE FOR FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
Department for Education and Skills
London : 2002
The Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 places new duties on the bodies responsible for providing post-16 education. Document provides guidance and examples of good practice on the reasonable actions responsible bodies should take to find out about people's disabilities.
HIGHER EDUCATION AND REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN WALES : AN OPPORTUNITY FOR DEMONSTRATING THE EFFICACY OF DEVOLUTION IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
B. Morgan
Regional Studies, vol. 36, 2002, p.65-73
Argues that political, financial and structural issues have prevented the higher education system in Wales from making a full contribution to regional economic development. This is due in the main to failure to fully embrace the diffusion/outreach model of higher education. The result is that Wales has a two-tier higher education system which does not address crucial issues in economic development such as social reproduction, social capital and social exclusion.
IMPROVING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT IN ENGLISH HIGHER EDUCATION
National Audit Office
London: TSO, 2002 (House of Commons paper. Session 2001-2002; HC 486)
Report investigates:
- why students drop out;
- how performance varies between institutions and subject areas; pre-enrolment information;
- provision of effective preparatory activities, induction, teaching and support;
- helping students prepare for employment.
PROVIDING WORK PLACEMENTS FOR DISABLED STUDENTS: A GOOD PRACTICE GUIDE FOR FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
Department for Education and Skills
London: 2002
Provides a guide to institutions' duties in regard to work placements and offers practical advice on what they can do to ensure quality work placement opportunities for disabled students.
WELSH STUDENTS WILL REGAIN THEIR GRANTS
G. Owen
Times, Feb. 13th 2002, p. 2
Reports that maintenance grants are to be reintroduced in Wales for students whose parents earn less than £15,000 a year. The scheme will benefit students who have lived in Wales for at least three years, even if they study elsewhere in the UK.
WIDENING PARTICIPATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN ENGLAND
National Audit Office
London : TSO, 2002 (House of Commons papers. Session 2001-2002; HC 485)
Finds that people with disabilities and those from poorer social classes are under-represented in higher education. The main obstacles are:
- early disengagement from education;
- poorer educational opportunities prior to higher education;
- concerns about completing or benefiting from higher education;
- difficulties in securing financial support.
In order to raise participation among disadvantaged groups, providers need to:
- put in place written selection strategies and specialist training from selection staff;
- take applicants' backgrounds into account when assessing likelihood of succeeding in higher education.
Funds are available to help students facing financial hardship, but these are low in value, mainly discretionary and available to only a few.