Education Commons^™

A Survey Of International Practice In University Admissions Testing, Daniel Edwards, Hamish Coates, Tim Friedman

Dr Daniel Edwards

This paper explores how admissions tests are used in different higher education systems around the world. This is a relatively new area of research, despite the fact that admissions processes are a key component of university practices and given the ever-increasing globalisation of higher education. This paper shows that aptitude and achievement tests, for example, are used in many developed countries. In some of them, a specific test is nationally instituted and generalised; consequently, the function of the test is well embedded in the education landscape of the country. Elsewhere, tests exist but are administered in an ad hoc fashion …

Monitoring The Pathways And Outcomes Of People From Disadvantaged Backgrounds And Graduate Groups, Daniel Edwards, Hamish Coates

Dr Daniel Edwards

The development of a strong and vibrant knowledge economy is linked directly to successful learning outcomes among university graduates. Building evidence-based insights on graduate outcomes plays a particularly important role in shaping planning and practice. To this end, this paper analyses some key findings from the Graduate Pathways Survey, the first national study in Australia of bachelor degree graduates' outcomes five years after course completion. It focuses on the outcomes of graduates from disadvantaged groups, people of particular significance in an expanding and increasingly important higher education system. After advancing the rational for this analysis, the paper sketches the overall …

The Practicalities Of Growth : Exploring Attainment Targets, Daniel Edwards

Dr Daniel Edwards

No abstract provided.

The Graduate Pathways Survey: New Insights On Education And Employment Outcomes Five Years After Bachelor Degree Completion, Hamish Coates, Daniel Edwards

Dr Daniel Edwards

The development of a strong and vibrant knowledge-based economy is linked in direct ways with successful graduate outcomes. Building evidence-based insights on such outcomes plays an important role in shaping planning and practice. With this broad objective in mind, this article analyses findings from the Graduate Pathways Survey, the first national study in Australia of bachelor degree graduate outcomes five years after course completion. It begins by discussing key rationales and research contexts to position the study internationally and in terms of research on graduate careers, quality assurance and planning. Focus is then turned to highlighting findings from the study, …

Forecasting University Enrolment And Completion Numbers For Victoria, Daniel Edwards

Dr Daniel Edwards

This report is a culmination of the research and projection work previously completed for the Victorian Higher Education Expert Panel by ACER. The current report examines the components that will contribute to the higher education attainment numbers forecast for Victoria. Specifically, it looks at two main components; Victorian university graduates (with sub-components comprising domestic and international students) and university qualified people who obtained their degree outside of Australia. The estimates pertaining to Victorian university graduates have been converted into forecasts of commencement and completion numbers deemed necessary to meet the national attainment target by 2025. Detail about the Expert Panel …

Graduate Course Experience 2009 : The Report Of The Course Experience Questionnaire., Hamish Coates, Daniel Edwards, Tim Friedman, Bruce Guthrie

Dr Daniel Edwards

Graduate Course Experience is an annual survey about the attitudes of graduates towards their courses and the skills they acquired while undertaking tertiary education. Once again, universities throughout the country participate in the survey.

Supply Issues For Science Academics In Australia: Now And In The Future, Daniel Edwards, Fred Smith

Dr Daniel Edwards

Australia, like the rest of the developed world, is in the midst of dealing with notable issues related to the age structure of its academic workforce. These issues are widespread and have been articulated in the Australian context most comprehensively by Hugo (2008). This paper investigates issues with demographic change and other key

factors related to the desirability of a science or mathematics academic career within

Australian universities. It draws on the findings of a research project undertaken in 2008

for the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. The findings show that while demographic issues are not as dire …

The Future Of The Research Workforce: Estimating Demand For Phds In Australia, Daniel Edwards

Dr Daniel Edwards

s the developed world becomes more reliant on knowledge as a vital part of economic growth and development, the importance of highly skilled workers who can create, disseminate and use new knowledge becomes integral. Within Australia, recent policies relating to higher education and research have prompted new thinking about the extent to which the research training in Australia is able to facilitate growth, given the economy's current reliance on natural resources is unsustainable (Cutler, 2008). This paper draws on work undertaken for the Australian Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research specified to examine issues relating to the research workforce. …

Student Aptitude Test For Tertiary Admission (Satta) Pilot Program: Evaluation Report For The Department Of Education, Employment And Workplace Relations (Deewr), Hamish Coates, Daniel Edwards, Tim Friedman

Dr Daniel Edwards

Since 2007 the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) has funded the Student Aptitude Test for Tertiary Admission (SATTA) pilot program. SATTA involves the supply, management and evaluation of uniTEST, and the evaluation of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). This report documents the evaluation phase of the program, focusing in particular on various aspects of uniTEST. Seven recommendations are made. Significant policy change is planned for Australian higher education over the next few years, with both government and institutions seeking new ways to make the system larger, more inclusive and more productive. In this context, …

The Contribution And Standards Processes Of Private Higher Education Providers, Daniel Edwards, Hamish Coates, Ali Radloff

Dr Daniel Edwards

This research project has been conducted by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) for the Australian Council for Private Education and Training (ACPET). The main purpose of this work is to provide information about the standards processes and practices among private1 higher education providers (HEPs) in Australia. This project has used quantitative modelling to determine the size, diversity and recent growth of HEPs in Australia, and to provide a contextual base for this part of the sector in comparison with the public universities. A number of HEPs have also participated in consultations undertaken as part of this research. Participating …

Issues Facing Scientific Research Employment In Australia, Daniel Edwards

Dr Daniel Edwards

Do higher research qualifications help or hinder job seekers? A recent ACER research project sought Australian labour market expectations and impressions from employers and prospective employees.

Supply, Demand And Approaches To Employment By People With Postgraduate Research Qualifications In Science And Mathematics: Final Report, Daniel Edwards, T Smith

Dr Daniel Edwards

This is the final report bringing together knowledge and understanding of issues relating to the supply, demand and employment outcomes for people with higher degree research (HDR) qualifications in science and mathematics. The report highlights a number of key findings from the overall project. They are: * Australia has a growing supply of people with HDR science and mathematics qualifications. However, university completions in the science and mathematics fields is below that in non-scientific disciplines. * Consultations and case studies suggest that the demand for HDR qualifications in science and mathematics fields is low within private industry. * There is …

Supply, Demand And Approaches To Employment By People With Postgraduate Research Qualifications In Science And Mathematics: Case Studies, Daniel Edwards, T Smith

Dr Daniel Edwards

This is the third report of a research project which examines the supply and demand of people with postgraduate research qualifications in science and mathematics. In the report, four organisations showcase examples of good employment practices which cover issues associated with recruitment, retention, staff development and career paths. The report was completed in November 2008. To gain an overall perspective of the factors influencing supply and demand for this group it is important to consider all the reports in this project.

Supply, Demand And Approaches To Employment By People With Postgraduate Research Qualifications In Science And Mathematics: Stakeholder Consultations, Daniel Edwards, T Smith

Dr Daniel Edwards

This is the second report of a research project which examines the supply and demand of people with postgraduate research qualifications in science and mathematics. Consultations were conducted with key employers of the target group to identify levels and patterns of demand and their views about issues associated with employing these postgraduates. Key factors relating to salary levels, facilitators and barriers to employment were also considered.

A New National University In Regional Australia Feasibility Study, Daniel Edwards

Dr Daniel Edwards

No abstract provided.

Keeping It Local : Geographic Patterns Of University Attendance, Daniel Edwards

Dr Daniel Edwards

The university attendance habits of Australians, in a geographic sense, are different from those in the United States, the United Kingdom and many other western countries. Australian university students are less likely to move between major cities to study. In this article, university attendance patterns of Melbourne government school Year 12 completers in 2004 are presented. The article examines the link between location of school and location of university attended among this cohort. The article finds that in addition to this, within a large metropolitan area, university campuses attract a substantial share of the university-attending population who completed their schooling …

The Bradley Review And Access To Higher Education In Australia, Bob Birrell, Daniel Edwards

Dr Daniel Edwards

The Review of Higher Education in Australia (the Bradley Review) has recommended a massive expansion in the level of domestic training in Australian universities. This article examines the Report's rationale for rejecting the previous orthodoxy that there is no need for such expansion and, to the extent that there is, it would be better focused on the vocational sector. It examines the scale of the enrolment expansion envisaged and critically examines the Review's policy recommendations to achieve this increase. It concludes that there will have to be a major expansion in university campus construction in the outer suburban regions of …

Auqf2008 : Quality & Standards In Higher Education : Making A Difference, Daniel Edwards

Dr Daniel Edwards

The use of data for benchmarking purposes in the higher education sector has increased in recent years, especially in relation to monitoring student perceptions of the university experience. Data sets that enable institutional and national analysis of the course perceptions of specific groups of students are now more valuable than ever. This paper examines the course experiences of international fee-paying graduates from Australian universities as they were articulated through the Graduate Careers Australia Course Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) and the Australasian Survey of Student Engagement (AUSSE). These students have become an increasingly important group within the Australian university sector over the …

What Happens When Supply Lags Behind Demand? Disadvantaged Students And The Ever Increasing Competition For University Places, Daniel Edwards

Dr Daniel Edwards

Competition for entry to university has escalated in Australia over the past decade. This rise in competition is attributable to a number of factors, a major one being that the provision of university places has not kept pace with growth in the population of university-aged persons. Using the city of Melbourne as a case study, this article highlights the impact that rising competition for university has had on two disadvantaged groups; those from the Government school sector and those from areas of low socioeconomic status. It finds that the opportunities for university entrance among tertiary applicants in these two groups …

Half Of Australian Youth Aged 18-20 Are Not In Training, Bob Birrell, Daniel Edwards

Dr Daniel Edwards

The authors undertake a detailed analysis of data from the 2006 Census. The data reveal that a substantial proportion of Australia's 18 to 20 year olds are not participating in any form of education. In addition, of those non-attendees, labour force participation is also remarkably low. A supplementary table to the report, which shows education participation rates by Australian federal electorates is also available.

The Widening Gap Between Demand For And Supply Of University Graduates In Australia, Daniel Edwards, Bob Birrell, Ian Dobson

Dr Daniel Edwards

The rapid growth in demand for university-trained personnel over recent years has mainly been filled by growth in the skilled migration program. The authors argue that more domestic students should be trained. The Coalition Government does not agree. It claims that 'unmet demand' from prospective university students has been met and that additional subsidised places are to be created. This article scrutinises these claims and concludes that they are not correct. The authors point to a shortfall in domestic higher education training. Over the period 1995-96 to 2005-06 there has been little or no growth in domestic undergraduate commencements (growth …

The Vocational Fate Of Government Secondary Schools, Daniel Edwards

Dr Daniel Edwards

In the mid-1980s the Victorian Government abolished the technical school system in order to erase class divisions between government high schools and technical schools. High schools then became de facto comprehensives, in principle dedicated to equality of opportunity for all. In fact, subsequent policies and growing competition from independent schools have forced government secondary schools to specialise. For most, the only feasible path has been to offer more technical and vocational subjects, for example the new Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL). Consequently, academically-inclined students at many government schools are now less favourably placed to compete for declining numbers of …

The Myth Of Too Many University Students, Bob Birrell, Daniel Edwards, Ian Dobson, T Smith

Dr Daniel Edwards

The Coalition Government has recently asserted that too many young Australians are training to become professionals and not enough as traditional tradespersons. By implication, there is a surfeit of young professionals. This article challenges these assertions. It shows that there has been a substantial increase in the employment of professionals since the Coalition came to power in 1996. Yet over the same period, the number of domestic students in Australian universities at the undergraduate level has hardly increased at all. All of the increase in professional training at the undergraduate level in Australian universities has been directed at overseas students. …