Research Report 2016.03 Student mobility in A report to ... mobility in Ontario: A framework and...
Transcript of Research Report 2016.03 Student mobility in A report to ... mobility in Ontario: A framework and...
Student mobility in Ontario: A framework and decision-making tool for building better pathways
Leesa Wheelahan, Gavin Moodie, Mary Catharine Lennon, Amanda Brijmohan and Eric Lavigne
Research Report 2016.03
A report to Ontario Council for Articulation and
Transfer
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Areportby:
OntarioInstituteforStudiesinEducation(OISE)UniversityofToronto252BloorSt.West,6thFloorToronto,OntarioM5S1V6Canadawww.oise.utoronto.ca/cihePleasecitethispublicationas:Wheelahan,L.,Moodie,G.,Lennon,M.C.,Brijmohan,A.andLavigne,E.(2016).StudentmobilityinOntario:Aframeworkanddecisionmakingtoolforbuildingbetterpathways.Toronto:CentrefortheStudyofCanadianandInternationalHigherEducation,OISE-UniversityofToronto.
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TableofContentsPREAMBLE........................................................................................................................................................4
HOWTOREADTHISDOCUMENT......................................................................................................................61. PURPOSEOFTHESEPRINCIPLESANDDECISION-MAKINGFRAMEWORK..........................................................................72. GOALSANDPURPOSESOFPOSTSECONDARYEDUCATION,QUALIFICATIONSANDPATHWAYS.............................................8
Postsecondaryeducationsystems.....................................................................................................................8Qualifications....................................................................................................................................................8Pathways...........................................................................................................................................................8
3. PRINCIPLES........................................................................................................................................................94. GUIDELINES.....................................................................................................................................................10
Multipleentrymechanisms.............................................................................................................................10Entrymechanismsandpathwaysfromleasttomostexpensive.....................................................................11Trustandcommunication................................................................................................................................11
5. FRAMEWORKFORDECISIONMAKING...................................................................................................................12Province-wide..................................................................................................................................................12ONCAT.............................................................................................................................................................12Institutionallevel.............................................................................................................................................13Faculty/program-level.....................................................................................................................................13
ELABORATEDVERSIONStudentmobilityinOntario:Aframeworkanddecision-makingtoolforbuildingbetterpathways
6. ELABORATED:PURPOSEOFTHESEPRINCIPLESANDDECISION-MAKINGFRAMEWORK....................................................167. ELABORATED:GOALSANDPURPOSESOFPOSTSECONDARYEDUCATION,QUALIFICATIONSANDPATHWAYS........................17
Postsecondaryeducationsystem....................................................................................................................17Qualifications..................................................................................................................................................17Pathways.........................................................................................................................................................17
8. ELABORATED:PRINCIPLES..................................................................................................................................19Generalprinciples............................................................................................................................................19Curricularandpedagogicprinciples................................................................................................................19Entryprinciples................................................................................................................................................20
9. ELABORATED:GUIDELINES.................................................................................................................................22Geography.......................................................................................................................................................22Distinguishbetweentransferofstudentsandtransferofcredit.....................................................................22Multipleentrymechanisms.............................................................................................................................23Entrymechanismsandpathwaysfromtheleasttomostexpensive...............................................................24Trustandcommunication................................................................................................................................26
10. ELABORATED:FRAMEWORKFORDECISIONMAKING..............................................................................................27Province-wide..................................................................................................................................................27ONCAT.............................................................................................................................................................28Institutionallevel.............................................................................................................................................28Faculty/program-level.....................................................................................................................................30
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PreambleThisstudenttransferframeworkanddecision-makingtoolwasdevelopedaspartofastudysupportedbytheOntarioCouncilofArticulationandTransferin2015.1Theproject:
• reviewedmuchoftheextensiveliteratureonstudenttransfer;
• analyzedtheOntarioCouncilofArticulationandTransfer’scomprehensivedatasetofallcurrentarticulationagreementsofOntariopost-secondaryinstitutions;
• analyzedthe2013CanadianNationalGraduateSurvey;
• analyzedthe2013/2014OntarioCollegeGraduateSatisfactionSurvey;
• constructedastudenttransferprofileof22publiclyfundeduniversitiesand24publiclyfunded
collegesinOntario;
• consulted14expertsinOntariostudenttransferfromcolleges,universities,policymakersandresearcherswhowerecriticalfriendstotheproject.
Thefullresults,analysisandargumentsupportingthestudenttransferframeworkanddecision-makingtoolaresetoutintheteam’sreport.2Butverybriefly,thesearethemainfindingssupportingtheproposedstudenttransferframeworkanddecision-makingtool.
1. Criticalfriendsincollegesanduniversitiesresponsibleforleadingandmanagingtransferbetweencollegesanduniversitiesreporteddifficultiesreconcilingdifferentprovincialpoliciesthathavedifferenteffectsonstudenttransfer.
2. Thenationalgraduatesurveyfindsthatonly37%ofcollegegraduatesinOntariowhocompleteauniversityqualificationdosointhesamefieldastheircollegequalification.3
3. Universitieshaveanaverageof24pathwaysagreementsbutadmittedamedianratioof1.3
studentsperpathwayin2014.
4. Themedianpercentageofuniversities’pathwayagreementswithcollegeswithincommutingdistanceoftheuniversityis16%,butthemedianpercentageofstudentswhotransferfromacollegetoauniversitywithincommutingdistanceofthecollegeis64%.
1 Lennon, Mary Catharine; Brijmohan, Amanda; Lavigne, Eric, Yang, Jinli; Moodie, Gavin; and, Wheelahan, Leesa; Moodie, (2016) Ontario Student Mobility: Carving paths of desire, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON. 2 Ibid 3 Wheelahan, Leesa; Moodie, Gavin; Lavigne, Eric; Yang, Jinli; Brijmohan, Amanda; and Childs, Ruth (2015) Pathways to education and work in Ontario and Canada, Department of Leadership Higher and Adult Education, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education: Toronto, p. 23, Table 8.
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Theprojectteamconsultedwidelyonthisstudenttransferframeworkanddecision-makingtoolandweheldaconsultativeworkshoponthestudenttransferframeworkanddecision-makingtoolatOISEonApril5,2016.Feedbackreceivedfromtheconsultativeworkshopwasusedtorevisethedecision-makingtool.Furtherinformationabouttheprojectisavailableat:http://www.oise.utoronto.ca/pew/Pleasesharecommentsorquestionsontheframeworkanddecision-makingtoolwith:LeesaWheelahan,PhDWilliamG.DavisChairinCommunityCollegeLeadershipOntarioInstituteofStudiesforEducationUniversityofToronto252BloorStreetWestToronto,[email protected]
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HowtoreadthisdocumentThisdocumenthastwoversionsofthestudentmobilityandcredittransferframeworkanddecision-makingtool.Thefirstversionisasummary,whilethesecondversionistheelaboratedversion.Theelaboratedversioncontainsmoredetailaboutmostprinciples,andprovidesexampleswhereappropriate.
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1. Purposeoftheseprinciplesanddecision-makingframeworkThisdocumentpresentsprinciplesandadecision-makingframeworkfordevelopingnewpathwaysandpartnershipsinOntario’spost-secondaryeducationsystem(PSE).TheprinciplesandframeworkcontributetotheMinistryofTrainingCollegesandUniversities’goalstosupportlifelonglearning,andtoincreaseandbroadenaccesstopostsecondaryeducation.Theprinciplesandframeworkbuildon:
• TheMinistryofTrainingCollegesandUniversities’PolicyStatementforOntario’sCreditTransferSystem20114
• ONCAT’s‘ProposedPrinciplesforCreditTransferPoliciesandProcedures’5Thedocumentfirstoutlinesthegoalsandpurposesofqualificationsandpathwaysinsupportinglifelonglearningpolicies,thenitpresentsprinciplesthatguidetransferofstudentsandtransferofcredit,beforepresentingaframeworkfordecisionmaking.
4 http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/eopg/publications/CreditTransferE.pdf viewed 14 May 2016. 5 http://oncat.ca/files_docs/content/pdf/en/AnnualReport_2014-2015_ENG.pdf viewed 14 May 2016
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2. Goalsandpurposesofpostsecondaryeducation,qualificationsandpathways
Postsecondaryeducationsystems2.1 Theprovinceaimstosupportapostsecondaryeducationsystemthatishighquality,fair,
efficient,andpromotesequityandhighlevelsofeducationalattainmentQualifications2.2 Qualificationssupport:entrytoandmobilityinthelabourmarket;progressiontohigher-level
studies;and,socialinclusionandsocialmobility.
2.3 Allqualificationsshouldfulfilallthreepurposes,buttheemphasisoneachpurposemayvarywitheachqualification.
Pathways2.4 Pathwaysshouldbedesignedtoreflectthesethreepurposesofqualificationstosupportlifelong
learningpoliciesandpractices.
2.5 Pathwaysandqualificationscanbeevaluatedbytheextenttowhichtheymeetthesethreepurposes.
2.6 Pathwaysshouldmaximizestudenttransferfromonequalificationtoanother.
2.7 Pathwaysshouldmaximizethecreditstudentsaregrantedfortheirpriorstudiesandreduce
coststostudents,institutionsandtheirfundersbysavingfundsforstudiesthathavealreadybeencompletedandbyreducingthetimeittakesstudentstocompletetheirstudies.
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3. Principles3.1 Transferismoreequitableifitisconsistent.3.2 Transferismoreconsistentifitisguidedbyagreedrulesandprocesses.3.3 Transfereffortshouldconcentrateontheareaswheremostbenefitcanbegained.3.4 Pathwaysshouldbedevelopedfromtheleasttomostexpensivetoreflectthestrategic
prioritiesofinstitutions,regionsandtheprovince.3.5 Pathwayswhichmaximizethetransferofstudentsandthetransferofcreditaremorelikely
betweeninstitutionsthattrusteachother’scurriculum,syllabus,teaching,assessmentandtheexpertiseoftheirteachingstaff.
3.6 Trustbetweeninstitutionsreducesthetransactioncostsofdevelopingpathways.3.7 Trustismorelikelytodevelopwheretherearerelationshipsbetweenteachingstaffinpartner
institutions.3.8 Relationsareeasiertoestablishbetweeninstitutionswhichareclosetoeachother.3.9 Pathwaysshouldensurecoherenceandcontinuityincurriculumandpedagogy.Coherenceand
continuityincurriculumandpedagogycansupportstudenttransitionandcontributetoretention,completionandpositivelabourmarketoutcomes.
3.10 Studenttransfermaybemaximizedbydevelopingseveralentrymechanismstosuitprospective
studentsfromdifferentcircumstances.3.11 Studentsshouldbeadmittedtohigherlevelprogramsbasedontheirachievementsintheir
mostrecentqualification.
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4. Guidelines4.1 Studentstransferinhighernumbersbetweeninstitutionswithincommutingdistanceofeach
other.Institutionsshouldprioritizebuildingrelationswithneighbouringpartnersanddevelopregionalpathways.
4.2 Policymakersandinstitutionsshoulddevelopexplicitregional,provincial,interprovincialand
nationalgoalsforstudenttransfertoprovideframeworksforinstitutionalpartnerships.
4.3 Institutionsshouldbeawareofthepoliticalrealitiesoftheirpartners(suchasprovincialandmunicipalgovernments,regulatoryandoccupationalbodies,employers,disciplinaryassociationsetc),aswellastherolesofeachinterestedparty.
4.4 Transferthatprovidesstudentswithentrytosubsequentpostsecondaryeducationprograms
requiresdifferentdecisionsandprocessescomparedtothoseusedforthecreditthattransferstudentsmaybegrantedupongainingentrytothoseprograms.
4.5 Creditdecisionsarebasedonthesyllabusandqualityofthepriorprogram,itsassessmentand
itslearningoutcomes.Decisionsaboutstudentadmissionarebasedonjudgementsabouttheextenttowhichtheapplicantmeetstheprogram’sadmissionscriteria.
4.6 Decisionsaboutcreditstudentswillbegrantedshouldbemadeascloseaspossibletothe
decisiontograntstudentsadmission.Multipleentrymechanisms4.7 Increasingthenumberofstudentswhocantransferfromdiplomastodegreesrequiresmore
emphasisonalternativeentrymechanismsthatprovidestudentswithdifferentwaysofenteringdegreeprograms.
4.8 Guaranteedtransferpathwaysselectstudentstotheinitialprogramandguaranteeentrytoa
subsequentprogramsubjecttoachievingaspecifiedgradepointaverageandmeetinganyotherrequirementspecifiedinadvance.
4.9 Dualawardsrequirestudentstomeettheentryrequirementsforbothqualifications.4.10 Nestedawardsareaseriesofqualificationslinkedbyaguaranteedtransferpathway,which
offerstudentsmultipleentryandexitpoints.Nestedawardssupportstudentequitybecausestudentsonlyneedtomeettheentryrequirementsforthelower-levelqualificationandareguaranteedprogressiontohigher-levelqualificationsprovidedstudentsmeettheGPAorotherspecifiedrequirements.
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Entrymechanismsandpathwaysfromleasttomostexpensive4.11 Entrymechanismsanddifferenttypesofpathwaysrangefromtheleasttomoreexpensive.The
province,ONCATandinstitutionsshoulddevelopstrategicframeworksthathavemanyarrangementsthatarerelativelycheap;amoderatenumberofarrangementsthataremoderatelyexpensive;andarelativelysmallnumberofarrangementsthatareexpensive.
4.12 Pathwayentryagreementsareagreementsbetweeninstitutionsthatgrantstudentsentryto
thereceivinginstitutioniftheymeetrequirementscertifiedbythesendinginstitution.Theyarerelativelyinexpensiveandcanbeusedbymanystudents.Increasedemphasisonentryagreementsmayhelptoincreasethenumberoftransferstudents.
4.13 Agenericpathwayisapathwaythatrelatesinstitutionsandfamiliesofprogramstofacilitate
entryandcreditforindividualstudentsorgroupsofstudents.Genericpathwaysaresupportedbyinstitutionalpoliciesthatspecifygeneralrequirementsforthetransferofstudentsandthetransferofcredit.Genericpathwaysarecosteffectiveandappropriateintheabsenceofaspecificpathway.Theysupportstudententryandcreditinareaswherethereislittlestudenttraffic.
4.14 Aspecificpathwayisapathwaythatrelatesexistingprogramsandmayinvolvesome
curriculummappingandcoordination.Specificpathwaysneedtoberenegotiatedeverytimethereisachangeinoneoftheprograms.Theyaremediumcostandshouldbemoderateinnumberanddevelopedonlyforpathwaysthatattractsignificantnumbersofstudents.
4.15 Anenhancedpathwaygrantsmorestudentsentryand/ormorecreditinthedestination
programthanprovidedinstandardinstitutionalpolicies.Enhancedpathwaysarebasedonvaryinglevelsofcollaborationoncurriculum,teachingandlearningandassessment.Theyrequirehighlevelsoftrustbetweenthepartners,andareexpensivetodevelopandmaintainandshouldbelimitedtoareasthatreflectstrategicprioritiesininstitutional,regionalandprovincialpartnerships.
Trustandcommunication4.16 Trustmaybebuiltbetweeninstitutionsandprogramsbyprovidingopportunitiesforfaculty
andstafftogettoknoweachother;byreportingtoeachotherontheoutcomesofpathways;bysharinginformation;andbyprovidingopportunitiesforcollaboration.
4.17 Boundaryspanners’canfostercommunicationandcollaborationbetweenpartnerinstitutions.
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5. FrameworkfordecisionmakingProvince-wide5.1 Studenttransferwouldbesupportedbytheprovincestatingexplicitlythatcolleges’roles
includepreparingstudentsforstudyatdegreelevel,includingstudyatuniversities;andbystatingexplicitlythattheroleofuniversitiesincludesacceptingandsupportingtransferstudents.
5.2 Studenttransferwouldbesupportedbytheprovinceincludingstudenttransferinits
differentiationframework,whichrecognizesinstitutions’differentrolesinstudenttransfer.5.3 Studenttransferagreementswouldbestrengthenedifstrategicmandateagreementsinone
institutioncomplementedthestrategicmandateagreementofrelevantinstitutionsintheothersector,particularlythosewithinthesamegeographicregion
5.4 Policiesandsupportmechanismsforstudenttransfershouldbebasedonregionssothatmost
attentionandeffortisinvestedintransferbetweeninstitutionswithincommutingdistanceofeachother.
5.5 Studenttransferwouldbeencouragedbysupportforsystemlevelfundingforregional
activitiestobuildnetworks.5.6 Analysisofstudenttransferpolicywouldbestrengthenedbycollectingandreporting
consistentlydataonthenumberoftransferstudentseachuniversityadmits,thebroadfieldsthattransferstudentsareadmittedtoandwhetherthetransferwaspartofapathwayagreement.
ONCAT5.7 ONCAThasakeyroletoplayinOntarioasasystemboundary-spannerbecauseitistheonly
bodyotherthantheMTCUthatspansbothcollegesanduniversities.
5.8 ONCATmaywishtodevelopaspecificroleinbrokering,supportingandsustainingregionalpartnerships.
5.9 ONCATmaywishtosupportinstitutions’deepercommitmenttoarticulationandtransferby
emphasisingthenumberandproportionofstudentstransferringbetweeninstitutionsratherthanthenumberofpathways.
5.10 ONCATmaywishtoconsiderdevelopingaproposalforasystemlevelfundtosupportregional
studenttransfernetworksandtorecognizepartoftheextracoststhatinstitutionsincurinsupportingstudenttransfer.
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Institutional-level5.11 Institutionsshouldstateexplicitlytheprioritytheygivetosupportingtransferinrelationto
otherinstitutionalpriorities,recognizingtheimplicationsthishasforneighbouringinstitutions.Institutionsmightidentifythosefieldsoroccupationalareasinwhichtheywishtoconcentratetheirsupportforstudenttransfer,whichmaybeinsimilarorcomplementaryfieldstothoseidentifiedbytheirpartnerinstitutions.
5.12 Institutionsshouldconsiderestablishingageneralpartnershipagreementwitheach
neighbouringinstitutiontoprovideagovernanceframework,strategicplanningandsupportforgenericpathwayagreementsandspecificpathwayagreementsbetweenspecificqualifications.
5.13 Regionalcoordinationoffersinstitutionsthepotentialforconvergentorcomplementary
pathwaysinconvergentorcomplementaryfieldsofstudy.5.14 Institutionsthatputahighpriorityonsupportingtransferstudentsshouldconsidernominating
apersonwhohasorwhodevelopsexpertiseintheirinstitution’scollaboratingsector,particularlyintheirneighbouringinstitutionsinthecollaboratingsectorwithwhichtheirinstitutionsshouldhavetheclosestrelations.
5.15 Institutionsthatgiveahighprioritytosupportingtransfermayconcentratetheiracademiceffortsinsomeprogramsandthereforeinsomefaculties,departmentsandschools.
5.16 Institutionsshouldseekopportunitiestostreamlinetransferprocessesanddecisions.5.17 Institutionsneedpoliciestoguideentryandcreditdecisionsfortransferringstudentsadmitted
intheabsenceofapathway.5.18 Institutions’frameworksshouldensureconsistencyoftreatmentbetweendomesticand
internationaltransferpathways.
5.19 Institutionsneedpoliciesandpracticestoensurethatentryandcreditdecisionsareconsistentacrossfieldsandovertime.
Faculty/program-level5.20 Mostbenefitcanbegainedbyembeddingtransferinthedesignandadministrationof
programs.5.21 Considerdevelopingapolicy,principlesandproceduretoguidetheentryofstudentswhodo
notfollowadesignatedpathway.5.22 Considerdevelopingapolicy,principlesandaproceduretoguidethegrantofcredittostudents
whodonotfollowadesignatedpathway.
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5.23 Consideradmittingtransferstudentsandgrantingthemcreditaccordingtotheunit’spolicies,principlesandprocedureratherthandevelopingapathwayagreementforasmallnumberofstudents.
5.24 Considerdevelopingpathwaysagreementswherenumerousstudentstransferfromthe
sendingqualification.5.25 Developpathwaysthatreflectthewaygraduatesusetheirqualificationsinthelabourmarket.
Ifaqualification’sgraduatesproceedtoadiversityofoccupationsitmaybedesirabletoaccepttransferstudentsfromadiversityoffields.
5.26 Considerdifferentarrangementsforqualificationsthatleadtooccupationalrecognitionand
thosethatleadtomoregeneralrecognition.5.27 Qualificationsthatleadtogeneralrecognitionmaybeabletograntcreditfromabroaderrange
ofcoursesthanqualificationswhichleadtooccupationalrecognition.5.28 Qualificationsthatleadtogeneralrecognitionmaybeabletoassesscreditbylevelandbroad
fieldofstudyratherthanbydetailedcurriculumequivalence.5.29 Considerdifferentarrangementsforqualificationsthatreceivemosttransferstudentsfromone
narrowfieldandqualificationsthatreceivetransferstudentsfromseveralfields.5.30 Considertakingabroaderapproachtodeterminingequivalentpriorstudyforqualificationsthat
receivetransferstudentsfrommorethanonefield.5.31 Considerdevelopingpathwayscollaborativelyandsharinginformationoneachprogram’s
syllabus,curriculum,pedagogy,assessmentandtheexpertiseofteachingstaff.5.32 Considerestablishingwithneighbouringinstitutionsanannualcross-institutionalfaculty
consultation,seminarorcolloquiumaddressingissueswithinthedisciplineorfield.5.33 Considerestablishingaprocedureforpathwaypartnerstoreporttoeachothertheoutcomes
ofpathways5.34 Credittransferredshouldberealizable.
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Elaboratedversion:StudentmobilityinOntario:Aframeworkand
decision-makingtoolforbuildingbetterpathways
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6. Elaborated:Purposeoftheseprinciplesanddecision-makingframework
Thisdocumentpresentsprinciplesandadecision-makingframeworkfordevelopingnewpathwaysandpartnershipsinOntario’spost-secondaryeducationsystem(PSE).TheprinciplesandframeworkcontributetotheMinistryofTrainingCollegesandUniversities’goalstosupportlifelonglearning,andtoincreaseandbroadenaccesstopostsecondaryeducation.Theprinciplesandframeworkbuildon:
• TheMinistryofTrainingCollegesandUniversities’PolicyStatementforOntario’sCreditTransferSystem20116
• ONCAT’s‘ProposedPrinciplesforCreditTransferPoliciesandProcedures’7Thedocumentfirstoutlinesthegoalsandpurposesofqualificationsandpathwaysinsupportinglifelonglearningpolicies,thenitpresentsprinciplesthatguidetransferofstudentsandtransferofcredit,beforepresentingaframeworkfordecisionmaking.
6 http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/eopg/publications/CreditTransferE.pdf viewed 14 May 2016. 7 http://oncat.ca/files_docs/content/pdf/en/AnnualReport_2014-2015_ENG.pdf viewed 14 May 2016
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7. Elaborated:Goalsandpurposesofpostsecondaryeducation,qualificationsandpathways
Thissectionpresentsthegoalsandpurposesofpostsecondaryeducationsystems,qualificationsandofpathways.Postsecondaryeducationsystem7.1 Theprovinceaimstosupportapostsecondaryeducationsystemthatishighquality,fair,
efficient,andpromotesequityandhighlevelsofeducationalattainmenttosupportatolerantandinclusivesocietyandacompetitiveandproductiveworkforce.
Qualifications7.2 Qualificationssupport:entrytoandmobilityinthelabourmarket;progressiontohigher-level
studies;and,socialinclusionandsocialmobilityinthefollowingways:87.2.1 Inthelabourmarket,qualificationshelpguideentryintotheworkforceandmovement
tohigheroccupationallevelsonceemployed;
7.2.2 Intheeducationsystem,qualificationshelpguideprogresstohigher-levelstudies.Allqualificationsshouldprovidestudentswiththeknowledgeandskillstheyneedtostudyatahigherlevelintheirfieldoracloselyrelatedfield;and
7.2.3 Insociety,qualificationscontributetosocialinclusionbysupportingsocialmobilityineducationandthelabourmarketandbycontributingtoamoretolerantandinclusivesociety.Allqualificationsshouldseektowidenparticipationinpostsecondaryeducationbysupportingstudentsfromdisadvantagedbackgroundstoenterhigher-levelstudiestosupportoccupationalandsocialmobility.Qualificationsalsoneedtoensurethatstudentshaveaccesstotheknowledgeandskillstheyneedtobeproductiveandcontributingmembersintheircommunities,familiesandoccupations.
7.3 Allqualificationsshouldfulfilallthreepurposes,buttheemphasisoneachpurposemayvary
witheachqualification.Pathways7.4 Pathwaysshouldbedesignedtoreflectthesethreepurposesofqualificationstosupport
lifelonglearningpoliciesandpractices.
7.5 Pathwaysandqualificationscanbeevaluatedbytheextenttowhichtheymeetthesethreepurposes.
8 See: Gallacher, J., Ingram, R., & Reeve, F. (2012). Are vocational qualifications vocational? In M. Pilz (Ed.), The Future of
Vocational Education and Training in a Changing World (pp. 381-402). Wiesbaden: Springer VS. Wheelahan, L., Buchanan, J., & Yu, S. (2015). Linking qualifications and the labour market through capabilities and vocational
streams. Adelaide: National Centre for Vocational Education Research.
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7.6 Pathwaysshouldmaximizethecreditstudentsaregrantedfortheirpriorstudiesandreduce
coststostudents,institutionsandtheirfundersbysavingfundsforstudiesthathavealreadybeencompletedandbyreducingthetimeittakesstudentstocompletetheirstudiesinthefollowingways:7.6.1 Studenttransfershouldbemaximizedtosupportstudentchoiceandprogression,
whichisanimportantaspectofuniversalparticipation.Thisincludespathwaysbetweenqualificationsatthesamelevel,fromhighertolowerlevelqualifications,andfromlowertohigher-levelqualifications.
7.6.2 StudenttransferfromlowertohigherlevelqualificationsontheOntarioQualificationsFrameworkshouldbemaximizedtosupportupwardsocialprogressionandsocialmobilityandeconomicdevelopment.
7.7 Pathwaysshouldmaximizethecreditstudentsaregrantedfortheirpriorstudiesandreduce
coststostudents,institutionsandtheirfundersbysavingfundsforstudiesthathavealreadybeencompletedandbyreducingthetimeittakesstudentstocompletetheirstudies.
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8 Elaborated:PrinciplesThissectionpresentsgeneralprinciples,curricularandpedagogicprinciples,andentryprinciples.Generalprinciples8.1 Transferismoreequitableifitisconsistent.8.2 Transferismoreconsistentifitisguidedbyagreedrulesandprocesses.8.3 Transfereffortshouldconcentrateontheareaswheremostbenefitcanbegained.
8.3.1 Mosttransferbenefitcanbegainedwherethemoststudentsareinvolved.8.3.2 Mosttransferbenefitcanbegainedwhereleastexpenseisincurred.8.3.3 Mosttransferbenefitcanbegainedwhereprocessesareefficient.
8.4 Pathwaysshouldbedevelopedfromtheleasttomostexpensivetoreflectthestrategic
prioritiesofinstitutions,regionsandtheprovince.8.5 Pathwayswhichmaximizethetransferofstudentsandthetransferofcreditaremorelikely
betweeninstitutionsthattrusteachother’scurriculum,syllabus,teaching,assessmentandtheexpertiseoftheirteachingstaff.
8.6 Trustbetweeninstitutionsreducesthetransactioncostsofdevelopingpathways.8.7 Trustismorelikelytodevelopwheretherearerelationshipsbetweenteachingstaffinpartner
institutions.8.8 Relationsareeasiertoestablishbetweeninstitutionswhichareclosetoeachother.Curricularandpedagogicprinciples8.9 Pathwaysshouldensurecoherenceandcontinuityincurriculumandpedagogy.Coherenceand
continuityincurriculumandpedagogycansupportstudenttransitionandcontributetoretention,completionandpositivelabourmarketoutcomes.Theycanachievetheseoutcomesinthefollowingways:8.9.1 Qualificationsshouldreflectthechangingnatureofwork,whichincludestheneedto
usehigherlevelandmoreabstractknowledgeasthebasisofeducationalprogressionandoccupationalprogression,andtheyneedtohelpstudentscontributetotheirfamily,communityandsociety.
8.9.2 Pathwaysshouldhavecurriculumcoherenceandcontinuityacrossqualifications.
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8.9.3 Programsshouldscaffoldlearninginthedisciplinaryfieldinwhichstudentsarestudying.Programsandpathwaysshouldembedtransitionsupporttohelpstudents’progresstohigherlevelstudiesandapplytheirknowledgeandskillsatworkandinthecommunity.
8.9.4 Studentsshouldgainmaximumcreditforpriorstudies,whileatthesametimeensuringtheyarenotgrantedinappropriatecreditthatmayjeopardisetheirsuccessinhigherlevelprograms.
8.9.5 Creditforpriorstudiesshouldbegrantedequitablytoallstudentswhoundertookthesamepriorprogram.
8.9.6 Wherepossible,pathwaysandnewprogramsshouldbedevelopedwiththeinvolvementofindustryandoccupationalbodies,suchasprofessionalbodiesandbodiesrepresentingtechnicalandskilledoccupations,ratherthanjustoneortheothertohelpdevelopprogramsthatlinkoccupationalandeducationalprogression.
8.9.7 Pathwaysandprogramsshouldfocusontheoveralldevelopmentofthestudentwithinthecontextoftheirplannedoccupation.(a) Pathwaysshouldfocusontheknowledge,skillsandattributesgraduatesneedin
theirbroadfieldofpracticeratherthanspecificworkplacetasksandrolestomaximisestudents’optionstoprogressintheirfieldandmovetorelatedfields.
(b) Pathwayscanbebasedonlinearconnectionsbetweenprogramswithinthe
samefieldofeducation,and/ortheycanlinkprogramsincomplementaryfieldsthatreflectthewaygraduatesusetheirqualificationstonavigatethelabourmarket.
8.9.8 Programsandpathwaysshould,wherepossible,providestudentswithearly
certificationintheirfieldsotheycanobtainrelevantworkandvaluableexperiencewhilecontinuingtostudyintheirfield.Thepurposeistoinsurestudentsagainsttheriskofnotcompletingthedestinationprogramwhileatthesametimeleavingtheiroptionsopenforfurtherstudy.
8.9.9 Studentsshould,asageneralrule,berequiredtocompletesuccessfullythefirst
qualificationinapathwayoranestedprogram(see4.13below)beforetheyaregrantedadmissiontothehigherlevelprogram.Pathwaysarepremisedonscaffoldingknowledgeandskillsstudentsneedathigherlevelqualifications;studentswhodonotcompletethefirstawardarelesslikelytobesuccessful.
Entryprinciples8.10 Studenttransfermaybemaximizedbydevelopingseveralentrymechanismstosuitprospective
studentsfromdifferentcircumstances.
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8.11 Studentsshouldbeadmittedtohigher-levelprogramsbasedontheirachievementsintheir
mostrecentqualification.Students’achievementsintheirsecondaryschooldiplomasarerelevantforentrytothefirstprograminthepostsecondaryeducationpathway,butarerarelyrelevanttothesecondprograminthepathwayandshouldnotbeusedtodecideaccessintothesecondprogram.Ifthereisnotadirectalignmentbetweenthelowerandhigherlevelprogramsinthepathway,transitionsupportshouldbebuiltintothedevelopmentofthepathway.
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9 Elaborated:GuidelinesThissectionpresentsguidelinesontakinggeographicproximityintoaccount,distinguishingbetweentransferofstudentsandtransferofcredit,movingfromtheleasttothemoreexpensiveformsofpathways,developingmultipleentrymechanisms,andbuildingtrustandcommunication.Geography9.1 Studentstransferinhighernumbersbetweeninstitutionswithincommutingdistanceofeach
other.Institutionsshouldprioritizebuildingrelationswithneighbouringpartnersanddevelopregionalpathways.
9.2 Policymakersandinstitutionsshoulddevelopexplicitregional,provincial,interprovincialand
nationalgoalsforstudenttransfertoprovideframeworksforinstitutionalpartnerships.9.2.1 Institutionsshoulddevelopexplicitlocalandregionalgoalsforstudenttransfertoguide
thedevelopmentoftheirpartnershipsstrategically.Institutionsmayhavestrategicreasonsfordevelopingpartnershipsbeyondtheirregionstosupportstudenttransferinspecificfields,ortoservespecificoccupationsorcommunities,ortosupportinstitutionalgoals.
9.3 Institutionsshouldbeawareofthepoliticalrealitiesoftheirpartners(suchasprovincialand
municipalgovernments,regulatoryandoccupationalbodies,employers,disciplinaryassociationsetc),aswellastherolesofeachinterestedparty.
Distinguishbetweentransferofstudentsandtransferofcredit9.4 Transferthatprovidesstudentswithentrytosubsequentpostsecondaryeducationprograms
requiresdifferentdecisionsandprocessescomparedtothoseusedforthecreditthattransferstudentsmaybegrantedupongainingentrytothoseprograms.9.4.1 Thisdistinctionisimportantbecausestudentsbenefitfromcreditonlyoncetheyhave
beenadmittedtothedestinationprogram.9.5 Creditdecisionsarebasedonthesyllabusandqualityofthepriorprogram,itsassessmentand
itslearningoutcomes.Decisionsaboutstudentadmissionarebasedonjudgementsabouttheextenttowhichtheapplicantmeetstheprogram’sadmissionscriteria.9.5.1 Studententryandcreditdecisionsoftentakedifferentfactorsintoaccount.Institutions
decideaboutentrybasedontheapplicant’spriorcredentialedstudyandotherattributesthatenabletheinstitutiontodeterminewhethertheapplicantislikelytosucceedinthedestinationprogramandwhethertheapplicantmeetstheprogram’sadmissioncriteria.Creditdecisionsarebasedonthesyllabusandqualityofthepriorprogram,itsassessmentanditslearningoutcomes.
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9.6 Decisionsaboutcreditstudentswillbegrantedshouldbemadeascloseaspossibletothedecisiontograntstudentsadmission9.6.1 Studententryandcreditdecisionsareoftentakenseparatelyatdifferenttimes.Itis
preferableforcreditdecisionstobetakenatthesametimeasentrydecisions.Thiswouldenablestudentstoplantheirprogramofstudy,ensuretheycanstudyfulltime(shouldtheywishtodoso),usethecredittheyhavebeenawardedintheirqualification,andensuretheycanreceiveappropriatefunding(OSAPetc)basedoncreditawardedandsubsequentstudystatus(part-time/fulltime).
Multipleentrymechanisms9.7 Increasingthenumberofstudentswhocantransferfromdiplomastodegreesrequiresmore
emphasisonalternativeentrymechanismsthatprovidestudentswithdifferentwaysofenteringdegreeprograms.
9.8 Guaranteedtransferpathwaysselectstudentstotheinitialprogramandguaranteeentrytoa
subsequentprogramsubjecttoachievingaspecifiedgradepointaverageandmeetinganyotherrequirementspecifiedinadvance.9.8.1 Thereneedstobeclosecommunicationandcollaborationbetweenthepartnerstoa
guaranteedaccesspathwaysothatthecoordinatorofthereceivingprogramcananticipateandplanforthenumberofstudentswhoareproceedingthroughthesendingqualificationatthespecifiedlevel.
9.8.2 Guaranteedaccesspathwaysincreaseequityandopportunitiesforstudentstoprogress
fromdiplomastodegrees.Guaranteedaccesspathwaysalsoinsurestudentsagainsttheriskofnotcompletingthehigherlevelprogramsincetheystillhavecertificationinthelowerlevelprogram.Thismayencouragestudentsfromdisadvantagedbackgroundstoparticipateinpostsecondaryeducationanddevelopaspirationsforundertakingbachelorlevelstudies,gainexperienceinstudyinginpostsecondaryeducation,andleavetheiroptionsopenforthefuture.
9.9 Dualawardsrequirestudentstomeettheentryrequirementsforbothqualifications.
9.9.1 Anexampleisadiplomaandadegreewhicharelinkedbutinwhichapplicantsmust
meetthediploma’sandthedegree’sentryrequirementstoenterthelinkedprograms.
9.9.2 Dualawardsgenerallydonotprovideasmuchaccessfordisadvantagedstudentsasguaranteedaccesspathwaysbecausestudentsarerequiredtomeettheentryrequirementsofthehigherlevelqualificationasaconditionofadmission.
9.10 Nestedawardsareaseriesofqualificationslinkedbyaguaranteedtransferpathway,which
offerstudentsmultipleentryandexitpoints.Nestedawardssupportstudentequitybecausestudentsonlyneedtomeettheentryrequirementsforthelower-levelqualificationandare
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guaranteedprogressiontohigher-levelqualificationsprovidedstudentsmeettheGPAorotherspecifiedrequirements.9.10.1 Anexampleisalinkedcertificate,diploma,bachelor,graduatecertificateandmasters
programinwhich,forexample,astudentmaystartinthediploma,completethecertificatewhilestudyingthediploma,andexitaftercompletingthebachelor.
9.10.2 Nestedawardsareusuallyinthesamefieldofstudy,oroccupationalarea.9.10.3 Thereneedstobeclosecommunicationandcollaborationbetweenthepartnersto
nestedawardssothatthecoordinatorsofeachprogramcananticipateandplanforthenumberofstudentswhoarestudyingineachprogramandareeligibleforandlikelytoseektotransfertoanotherqualificationinthenestedaward,whichmaybetoashorterqualification,acognatequalificationofsimilarlengthoralongerqualification.
Entrymechanismsandpathwaysfromtheleasttomostexpensive9.11 Entrymechanismsanddifferenttypesofpathwaysrangefromtheleasttomoreexpensive.The
province,ONCATandinstitutionsshoulddevelopstrategicframeworksthathavemanyarrangementsthatarerelativelycheap;amoderatenumberofarrangementsthataremoderatelyexpensive;andarelativelysmallnumberofarrangementsthatareexpensive.
9.12 Pathwayentryareagreementsbetweeninstitutionsthatgrantstudentsentrytothereceiving
institutioniftheymeetrequirementscertifiedbythesendinginstitution.Theyarerelativelyinexpensiveandcanbeusedbymanystudents.Increasedemphasisonentryagreementsmayhelptoincreasethenumberoftransferstudents.9.12.1 Thisisanexampleofapathwayentryagreement:Thebachelorofbusinessstudiesat
MapleLeafUniversitywillguaranteetoadmitgraduatesofthediplomaofbusinessstudiesatCedarCollegewhoachieveagradepointaverageof3.0.‘Pipeline’numbersofarticulatingstudentsaremanagedbydesignatingaspecificnumberofplacesinthediplomaofbusinessstudiesthatwillbeguaranteedplacesinthebachelorofbusinessstudies.
9.12.2 Thisisanotherexampleofapathwayentryagreement:
(a) graduateswhocompleteadiplomaofearlychildhoodstudiesatCedarCollege
withagradepointaverageof2.5areeligibleforadmissiontothebachelorofeducationatMapleLeafUniversityandwillbeadmittedifthereareenoughplacesavailable;
(b) diplomagraduateswillbeselectedaccordingtotheirgradepointaverage;(c) diplomagraduateswhoachieveagradepointaverageof3.5areguaranteed
admissionin2017.
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9.12.3 Pathwayentryagreementsarerelativelyinexpensiveandcanbeusedbymany
students.9.12.4 Increasedemphasisonentryagreementsmayhelptoincreasethenumberoftransfer
students.9.13 Agenericpathwayisapathwaythatrelatesinstitutionsandfamiliesofprogramstofacilitate
entryandcreditforindividualstudentsorgroupsofstudents.Genericpathwaysaresupportedbyinstitutionalpoliciesthatspecifygeneralrequirementsforthetransferofstudentsandthetransferofcredit.Genericpathwaysarecosteffectiveandappropriateintheabsenceofaspecificpathway.Theysupportstudententryandcreditinareaswherethereislittlestudenttraffic.9.13.1 Genericpathwaysmayspecifygeneralrequirementsforthetransferofstudentsandof
creditforgraduatesofdiplomasofanyOntarioInstitutionandgeneralrequirementsforthetransferofstudentsandofcreditforgraduatesofdiplomasoftheinstitution’spartnerinstitutions.
9.13.2 Anexampleofagenericpathwayiswheretheprogramcoordinatorforabachelorprogramreceivesanapplicationforadmissionfromagraduateofaspecifieddiplomaofaspecifiedcollegeandafterreviewingtheuniversity’spolicy,thediplomasyllabusandtheapplicant’sgradesofferstheapplicantaplace.
9.13.3 Anincreaseintrafficmaysignaltotheinstitutionthataspecificpathwaymaybe
needed.9.14 Aspecificpathwayisapathwaythatrelatesexistingprogramsandmayinvolvesome
curriculummappingandcoordination.Specificpathwaysneedtoberenegotiatedeverytimethereisachangeinoneoftheprograms.Theyaremediumcostandshouldbemoderateinnumberanddevelopedonlyforpathwaysthatattractsignificantnumbersofstudents.9.14.1 Anexampleofaspecificpathwayisaspecifieddiplomaataspecifiedcollegeanda
specifiedbachelorthatexemptsdiplomagraduatesfromthedegree’sgeneralstudiesrequirements.Anotherexampleisaspecifieddiplomathatexemptsdiplomagraduatesfromundertakingsomecorecoursesinthebachelor.
9.15 Anenhancedpathwaygrantsmorestudentsentryand/ormorecreditinthedestination
programthanprovidedinstandardinstitutionalpolicies.Enhancedpathwaysarebasedonvaryinglevelsofcollaborationoncurriculum,teachingandlearningandassessment.Theyrequirehighlevelsoftrustbetweenthepartners,andareexpensivetodevelopandmaintainandshouldbelimitedtoareasthatreflectstrategicprioritiesininstitutional,regionalandprovincialpartnerships.
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9.15.1 Anexampleofanenhancedpathwayisthedevelopmentofdiplomaandadegreewherethecurriculumhasbeendevelopedtogethertoensurecoherenceandcontinuityinsyllabus,approachtoteachingandlearningandassessment.Studentsareusuallygrantedmorecreditthantheywouldbeotherwisebeentitledtoinaspecificpathway.Thedevelopmentofthediplomaanddegreemay,forexample,includecollaborationwithanoccupationalbodyandaprofessionalbody,aspecificcommunity,oraspecificindustrypartner.
9.15.2 Enhancedpathwaysshouldbelimitedtoareaswhichreflectstrategicprioritiesin
institutional,regionalandprovincialpartnerships.Thetypesofstrategicprioritiesthatmaybeassistedbythedevelopmentofanenhancedpathwaymayincludeestablishingnewrelationshipswithindustryandoccupationalbodies,meetinganemergingoccupationalneed,developinganewfieldofstudyorestablishingrelationswithand/orsupportingparticulargroupsofdisadvantagedstudentstoenterandprogressinpostsecondaryeducation.
Trustandcommunication9.16 Trustmaybebuiltbetweeninstitutionsandprogramsbyprovidingopportunitiesforfaculty
andstafftogettoknoweachother;byreportingtoeachotherontheoutcomesofpathways;bysharinginformation;andbyprovidingopportunitiesforcollaboration:Examplesinclude:9.16.1 Facultyandstaffcommunicatingfrequentlyandbuildingrelations,forexample,inan
annualcross-institutionalfacultyconsultation,seminarorcolloquiumaddressingissueswithintheirdisciplineorfield;
9.16.2 Thepartnersreportingtoeachothertheoutcomesofpathwayssuchasthenumberof
studentswhogainentryunderanagreementandtheirperformanceintheirsubsequentstudies;
9.16.3 Partnerssharinginformationonprogram’ssyllabus,curriculum,pedagogy,assessmentandtheexpertiseofitsteachingstaff;
9.16.4 Facultyincollaboratingprogramscomparingcurriculum,learningoutcomesand
assessmenttodevelopaclearerpictureofwhatstudentshavelearned.9.17 Boundaryspanners’canfostercommunicationandcollaborationbetweenpartnerinstitutions.
9.17.1 Suchpeopleshouldseektospantheboundariesbetweensectorsandinstitutionsby
understandingtheothersector’sandinstitution’spoliciesandprocesses.Theyhelptranslatethesetotermsbestunderstoodbytheirhomeinstitutionandsectorandinturnexplaintheirhomeinstitutionandsectortotheirpartnerinstitutionsandsector.
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10 Elaborated:FrameworkfordecisionmakingThissectionpresentsaframeworktobeconsideredwhendevelopingnewpathwaysandtransferpoliciesandprograms.Itispresentedatfourlevels:province-wideconsiderations,ONCAT,theinstitution,andsub-institutionalunitssuchasfacultiesanddepartmentsandadministrativesupportunits.Province-wideconsiderations10.1 Studenttransferwouldbesupportedbytheprovincestatingexplicitlythatcolleges’roles
includepreparingstudentsforstudyatdegreelevel,includingstudyatuniversities;andbystatingexplicitlythattheroleofuniversitiesincludesacceptingandsupportingtransferstudents.
10.2 Studenttransferwouldbesupportedbytheprovinceincludingstudenttransferinits
differentiationframework,whichrecognizesinstitutions’differentrolesinstudenttransfer.
10.2.1 Forexample,someuniversities’mainrolemaybeacceptingtransferstudentsfromneighbouringcolleges;someuniversities’mainrolemaybeacceptingtransferstudentsfromspecifiedoccupational,linguistic,ethnicorequitygroups;andsomeuniversities’mainrolemaybedevelopingcolleges’facultyandstafftoextendtheirdegreeprogramsandappliedresearch.
10.3 Studenttransferagreementswouldbestrengthenedifstrategicmandateagreementsinone
institutioncomplementedthestrategicmandateagreementofrelevantinstitutionsintheothersector,particularlythosewithinthesamegeographicregion10.3.1 Strategicmandateagreementsarecurrentlynegotiatedwithineachsector,ratherthan
betweensectorsandincludingthetwosectorstogether,particularlywithinregions,wouldenhancetheProvince’sdifferentiationframework.
10.4 Policiesandsupportmechanismsforstudenttransfershouldbebasedonregionssothatmost
attentionandeffortisinvestedintransferbetweeninstitutionswithincommutingdistanceofeachother.10.4.1 Suchregionalpoliciesshouldreflectinstitutions’prioritiesandareasofstrategic
investment.Whereauniversitydoesnotprioritizeacceptingtransferstudentsinaregionwherethereisnootheruniversity,theprovincemaywishtoconsidernegotiatingwithlocalcollegestodevelopandexpandtheirprovisionbeyondtheircurrentdegreeprovision.Thiswouldhelptoensureequalityofaccesstodegreesthroughouttheprovince.
10.5 Studenttransferwouldbeencouragedbysupportforsystemlevelfundingforregional
activitiestobuildnetworks.
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10.6 Analysisofstudenttransferpolicywouldbestrengthenedbycollectingandreporting
consistentlydataonthenumberoftransferstudentseachuniversityadmits,thebroadfieldsthattransferstudentsareadmittedtoandwhetherthetransferwaspartofapathwayagreement.
ONCAT10.7 ONCAThasakeyroletoplayinOntarioasasystemboundary-spannerbecauseitistheonly
bodyotherthantheMTCUthatspansbothcollegesanduniversities.10.8 ONCATmaywishtodevelopaspecificroleinbrokering,supportingandsustainingregional
partnerships.
10.8.1 SucharolewouldbuildonONCAT’ssuccessinitsrelativelybrieflifeinstimulatingpathwaysbetweenqualificationsandinstitutions.ConsequentlyONCAThasbuildhighlevelsoftrustbetweenitanditsmemberinstitutionsandsupportedthedevelopmentofgreaterlevelsoftrustbetweenitsmemberinstitutions.Thisisanindispensablerequirementforbuildingregionalpartnerships.
10.9 ONCATmaywishtosupportinstitutions’deepercommitmenttoarticulationandtransferby
emphasisingthenumberandproportionofstudentstransferringbetweeninstitutionsratherthanthenumberofpathways.
10.10 ONCATmaywishtoconsiderdevelopingaproposalforasystemlevelfundtosupportregional
studenttransfernetworksandtorecognizepartoftheextracoststhatinstitutionsincurinsupportingstudenttrasfer.
Institutional-level10.11 Institutionsshouldstateexplicitlytheprioritytheygivetosupportingtransferinrelationto
otherinstitutionalpriorities,recognizingtheimplicationsthishasforneighbouringinstitutions.Institutionsmightidentifythosefieldsoroccupationalareasinwhichtheywishtoconcentratetheirsupportforstudenttransfer,whichmaybeinsimilarorcomplementaryfieldstothoseidentifiedbytheirpartnerinstitutions.
10.12 Institutionsshouldconsiderestablishingageneralpartnershipagreementwitheach
neighbouringinstitutiontoprovideagovernanceframework,strategicplanningandsupportforgenericpathwayagreementsandspecificpathwayagreementsbetweenspecificqualifications.
10.13 Regionalcoordinationoffersinstitutionsthepotentialforconvergentorcomplementary
pathwaysinconvergentorcomplementaryfieldsofstudy.
10.13.1 Forexample,itcansupportcurriculumalignmentforladderingwithinthesamefieldofeducation,orprovidecomplementarypathwaysthatlinkqualificationsindifferentfieldsofeducationtosupportlabourmarketneeds.
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10.14 Institutionsthatputahighpriorityonsupportingtransferstudentsshouldconsidernominating
apersonwhohasorwhodevelopsexpertiseintheirinstitution’scollaboratingsector,particularlyintheirneighbouringinstitutionsinthecollaboratingsectorwithwhichtheirinstitutionsshouldhavetheclosestrelations.10.14.1 Suchpeopleshouldseektospantheboundariesbetweenthesectorsandinstitutions
byunderstandingtheothersector’sandinstitution’spoliciesandprocesses,translatingthesetotermsbestunderstoodbytheirhomeinstitutionandbyhelpingtoexplaintheirhomeinstitutionandsectortotheirpartnerinstitutions.
10.14.2 Such‘boundaryspanners’shouldreporttoaseniorpersonwithintheirhomeinstitutiontoprovidethemwithauthorityinnegotiatingwithintheirowninstitutionthetypesofpathwaysthatmeettheirinstitution’sstrategicpriorities,andtoensuretheyhavesufficientseniorityinbrokeringpathwayswiththeircollaboratinginstitutions.
10.15 Institutionsthatgiveahighprioritytosupportingtransfermayconcentratetheiracademic
effortsinsomeprogramsandthereforeinsomefaculties,departmentsandschools.10.15.1 Institutionsmayalsonominateasupportunitthathasspecialresponsibilityfor
supportingstudenttransfer.However,evenifsuchaunitisnominated,mostcentralserviceandsupportunitsarelikelytohavesomeinvolvementinsupportingstudenttransfer.
10.16 Institutionsshouldseekopportunitiestostreamlinetransferprocessesanddecisions.10.17 Institutionsneedpoliciestoguideentryandcreditdecisionsfortransferringstudentsadmitted
intheabsenceofapathway.Thesepoliciesmayinclude:
10.17.1 MinimumentryrequirementsforgraduatesofdiplomasofanyOntariocollege;10.17.2 Minimumentryrequirementsforgraduatesofdiplomasoftheinstitution’spartner
colleges;10.17.3 Selectioncriteriafordiplomagraduates;10.17.4 Theamountandtypeofcourse-to-courseandblockcreditthatitisappropriateto
grantgraduatesofdiplomasofanyOntariocollege;10.17.5 Theamountandtypeofcourse-to-courseandblockcreditthatitisappropriateto
grantdiplomagraduatesoftheinstitution’spartnercolleges;
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10.17.6 Whoisauthorizedtodecidespecificcreditdecisionswhenstudentsareadmittedthroughagenericpathway;and
10.17.7 Howspecificcreditdecisionsmaybereviewedtoensureconsistencyinthese
decisions,andtoprovideinsightsaboutwherespecificpathwaysshouldbedeveloped.10.18 Institutions’frameworksshouldensureconsistencyoftreatmentbetweendomesticand
internationaltransferpathways.
10.19 Institutionsneedpoliciesandpracticestoensurethatentryandcreditdecisionsareconsistentacrossfieldsandovertime.
10.19.1 Onemechanismisaprocedurefordetermining,recording,monitoringandevaluating
precedents.Faculty/program-levelTheseprinciplesareforsub-institutionalunitssuchasfaculties,departmentsandschools,andadministrativesupportunits.10.20 Mostbenefitcanbegainedbyembeddingtransferinthedesignandadministrationof
programs.10.21 Considerdevelopingapolicy,principlesandproceduretoguidetheentryofstudentswhodo
notfollowadesignatedpathway.10.22 Considerdevelopingapolicy,principlesandaproceduretoguidethegrantofcredittostudents
whodonotfollowadesignatedpathway.10.23 Consideradmittingtransferstudentsandgrantingthemcreditaccordingtotheunit’spolicies,
principlesandprocedureratherthandevelopingapathwayagreementforasmallnumberofstudents.
10.24 Considerdevelopingpathwaysagreementswherenumerousstudentstransferfromthe
sendingqualification.10.25 Developpathwaysthatreflectthewaygraduatesusetheirqualificationsinthelabourmarket.
Ifaqualification’sgraduatesproceedtoadiversityofoccupationsitmaybedesirabletoaccepttransferstudentsfromadiversityoffields.
10.26 Considerdifferentarrangementsforqualificationsthatleadtooccupationalrecognitionand
thosethatleadtomoregeneralrecognition.
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10.26.1 Qualificationsthatleadtogeneralrecognitionmaybeabletoaccepttransferstudentsfromabroaderrangeofprogramsthanqualificationswhichleadtooccupationalrecognition.
10.27 Qualificationsthatleadtogeneralrecognitionmaybeabletograntcreditfromabroaderrange
ofcoursesthanqualificationswhichleadtooccupationalrecognition.10.28 Qualificationsthatleadtogeneralrecognitionmaybeabletoassesscreditbylevelandbroad
fieldofstudyratherthanbydetailedcurriculumequivalence.10.29 Considerdifferentarrangementsforqualificationsthatreceivemosttransferstudentsfromone
narrowfieldandqualificationsthatreceivetransferstudentsfromseveralfields.
10.29.1 Qualificationsthatreceivetransferstudentsfromonenarrowfieldmayhaveopportunitiestograntmorecreditforstudentswhohavegraduatedfromthemainsourcequalification.
10.30 Considertakingabroaderapproachtodeterminingequivalentpriorstudyforqualificationsthat
receivetransferstudentsfrommorethanonefield.10.31 Considerdevelopingpathwayscollaborativelyandsharinginformationoneachprogram’s
syllabus,curriculum,pedagogy,assessmentandtheexpertiseofteachingstaff.10.32 Considerestablishingwithneighbouringinstitutionsanannualcross-institutionalfaculty
consultation,seminarorcolloquiumaddressingissueswithinthedisciplineorfield.10.33 Considerestablishingaprocedureforpathwaypartnerstoreporttoeachothertheoutcomes
ofpathwayssuchasthenumberofstudentswhogainentryunderanagreementandtheirperformanceintheirsubsequentstudies;
10.34 Credittransferredshouldberealizable:
10.34.1 Studentsshouldbeabletousethecredittheyhavebeenawardedtowardscompletingtheircredential.
10.34.2 Creditshouldresultinstudentstakinglesstimetocompletethetwoqualifications
thaniftheyhadnotbeengrantedcredit.