school leavers), data were collected schools were collected including individual from regional school for the period of 2010 ATARs, High School teachers, Data was to 2016. Interviews Median ATAR and also collected via a were undertaken with university offers; survey from NSW teachers at 35 rural any other relevant universities on NSW government outreach activities schools across an area data sources identified in the one seventh the size of NSW. Interviewed course of the project; and schools included 15 ASPIRE and 20 an environmental schools. scan of university Surveys returned from equity websites to nine NSW universities identify partner with two declining to schools involved in provide information. widening participation outside the ASPIRE program. Jun 5.1 Data input and Appropriate 5.1.1 Completion of Completed 2017 – analysis to examine qualitative and data input. Data input and Oct whether any patterns quantitative analyses 5.1.2 Completion of analysed using 2017 in academic tools were identified data analysis (all multilevel growth achievement at an to be used relevant tests run) models and the PROC aggregate level can be using quantitative MIXED function in SAS identified. statistical methods to Enterprise Guide. identify trends and Recorded interviews patterns. were transcribed then 5.1.3 Identification of data were thematically findings. coded in NVivo. Oct 6.1 Publication and An appropriate 6.1.1 A conference Completed 2017 – dissemination of Australian conference paper presenting the Progressing work was Dec results. held towards the end Project outcomes is presented at the 2017 2017 of the project was prepared and targeted EPHEA conference. identified and a for submission to an The presentation was presentation appropriate titled: Efforts to submitted conference. quantify the effectiveness of university widening access programs in the context of provincial NSW government schools. Possible journals were 6.1.2 A journal article Completed identified for a paper presenting the Journal article has submission. Project outcomes is been prepared for prepared and targeted submission for review for submission to an to Studies in Higher appropriate Education journal. peer−reviewed journal.
school leavers), including individual ATARs, High School Median ATAR and university offers; any other relevant data sources identified in the course of the project; and an environmental scan of university equity websites to identify partner schools involved in widening participation outside the ASPIRE program. data were collected from regional school teachers, Data was also collected via a survey from NSW universities on outreach activities schools were collected for the period of 2010 to 2016. Interviews were undertaken with teachers at 35 rural NSW government schools across an area one seventh the size of NSW. Interviewed schools included 15 ASPIRE and 20 schools. Surveys returned from nine NSW universities with two declining to provide information. Jun 2017 – Oct 2017 5.1 Data input and analysis to examine whether any patterns in academic achievement at an aggregate level can be identified. Appropriate qualitative and quantitative analyses tools were identified to be used 5.1.1 Completion of data input. 5.1.2 Completion of data analysis (all relevant tests run) using quantitative statistical methods to identify trends and patterns. 5.1.3 Identification of findings. Completed Data input and analysed using multilevel growth models and the PROC MIXED function in SAS Enterprise Guide. Recorded interviews were transcribed then data were thematically coded in NVivo. Oct 2017 – Dec 2017 6.1 Publication and dissemination of results. An appropriate Australian conference held towards the end of the project was identified and a presentation submitted 6.1.1 A conference paper presenting the Project outcomes is prepared and targeted for submission to an appropriate conference. Completed Progressing work was presented at the 2017 EPHEA conference. The presentation was titled: Efforts to quantify the effectiveness of university widening access programs in the context of provincial NSW government schools. Possible journals were identified for a paper submission. 6.1.2 A journal article presenting the Project outcomes is prepared and targeted for submission to an appropriate peer−reviewed journal. Completed Journal article has been prepared for submission for review to Studies in Higher Education journal.