AchieveAbility - Research Report

In this section:

Advice and Guidance

Progression and Attainment

Learning and Teaching

In this section:

Research into the progression and success of students with SpLDs

Unique research commissioned by AchieveAbility during the project lifetime. This research into what information about SpLD learners and their progression is collected and disseminated across the educational sectors was conducted by the HE Academy.

Overview

A primary concern for AchieveAbility is to understand the current progression patterns of students with SpLD. The reasons for this are two-fold. First, it will enable initiatives to be targeted more effectively and tailored to meet the needs of these learners prior to entry into higher education. Second, it will identify areas where additional action is required to ensure that learners who progress into higher education are given the information and support that is required to enable them to be successful in higher education (HE). The need for this aspect of the project was identified in the AchieveAbility action plan submitted to HEFCE, and was developed in a working paper to provide a basis for discussion.
The work was undertaken by the Higher Education Academy, which is a national organisation whose aim is to improve the learning experience of students in higher education, and therefore the progression and success of learners with SpLD is central to the Academy’s mission. The Academy plays a leading role in dissemination across the HE sector, for which it is able to draw upon its established networks of 24 subject centres. The Academy also plays a central role in influencing institutional change. It therefore acts as a powerful partner to the AchieveAbility team and Aimhigher staff in the endeavour to improve the pre- and post-entry experiences of students with SpLD.

Research Tasks and Methods

The research project had four strands:

Identifying sources of information and data about the progression and success of learners with SpLD from school, to further education (FE) and HE.
Identifying patterns and trends relating to the progression and success of learners with SpLD.
Dissemination of findings, via an on-going process of digestion.
Making recommendations for future activity and research to support the progression and success of learners with SpLD.

The research was conducted in two phases:

issues regarding the type of information which is collected,
how information is passed on internally and across sectors,
the purpose of collection.

Consultation, seeking responses to the initial research findings from 600 practitioners and through JISCmail lists. These issues were presented for consultation with the purpose of gaining a better understanding of the diversity of practice and the ways in which the issues are being managed within and between institutions, sectors and regional areas. The online survey was structured by issues, data collection practices, categorisation of students and variations across sector. Respondents were asked to tell how the findings resonated with their experiences.

The Academy collated the responses to produce a final report in May 2006, the findings of which are pertinent to policy-makers and practitioners across the education sectors.

The HE Academy research report highlights the extent to which procedures for collecting, using and disseminating data are disparate within and across the education sectors.
It shows that the information recorded about learners with SpLD is not focused on their progression through the education system. An evaluation of the progression of these learners into higher education is therefore problematic, particularly on a national scale.
Efforts to standardise data collection and dissemination practices are at a local and regional level. Individual partnerships exist between sectors, institutions and learners to support the collection and flow of information. In these cases there is the potential to generate a better understanding of the achievements and progression of learners with SpLD.

The findings from this research indicate the following recommendations
National organisations and policy-makers

Consider developing protocols and processes at a national and/or regional level to support data collection and dissemination.

Consider readdressing the balance of data collection to raise the prominence of success and progression information about learners with SpLD alongside their admissions and assessment data.

Institutions

Be proactive in obtaining the consent, and access to information, from learners (preferably pre-entry to smooth the transition and ensure continuity of support).

Reflect a supportive environment in publicity material for learners to encourage them to self-disclose their difficulties.

Make the most of opportunities to share data collection practices with colleagues both within and across education sectors.

Become familiar with the data collection practices in other education sectors and/or feeder institutions.

Raise staff awareness through staff development about specific learning differences to help ensure that learners are identified and have access to support.

Work in partnership with other sectors, institutions and learners to support data collection and dissemination practices.

Learners with SpLD

Be proactive – try to become aware of how different systems work in different education sectors. Provide your new institution with information about your learning differences or give your consent for data to be accessed (preferably before you transfer) if you require procedures to be instigated to ensure support is in place when you arrive.

If you are unsure about disclosing your learning differences, try to seek an explanation as to why you are being asked for this information. Self-disclosure may be beneficial for you during your studies - enabling you to gain access to the support and resources you are entitled to.

The report is being disseminated by AchieveAbility through hard copy and online publication. To obtain a paper copy of the report please contact the AchieveAbility office or to download a PDF copy of the report simply click on the link at the bottom of this page.

Download [ HE Academy Research Report ]