analysis of all available data at local level that enables greater understanding of the socio-economic groups in the communities, and accordingly should respond appropriately to their expressed needs. The establishment of the regional clusters and the local Community Development Committees (lCDCs) at city or county level provide an opportunity to launch and support such initiatives. Such committees typically have members who represent a wide spectrum of local community interests, including local authorities and other State agencies, local and community bodies, economic and social partners, and including HEIs. Initiatives or strategies that emerge from such engagements should have some or all of the following elements or characteristics.. A approach to access. ‘whole-of-education’ Communication of the value of higher education. Provision of clear information on education pathways. Reinforcement of HEIs’ engagement with communities and other stakeholders. The use of mentors/role models from within communities to enable students to make informed – decisions about their post-secondary education options. Involvement of parents and teachers as key advisers to students. A number of successful mentoring programmes have emerged around the country, and these will contribute to the development of a template for such programmes nationally. Goal 5: Summary of objectives and actions Lead Key Performance Objective Action Responsibility Indicator(s) 5.1 To develop strategies for pilot initiatives HEIs/HEA/DES Call for proposals increasing access to higher will be established in by HEA, 2016. education in communities with the context of the new Projects low participation levels. regional clusters and commence, 2016. the LCDCs with a view Review pilot to increasing access projects, 2018. and participation in Increased number higher education. of students from target 2019. 5.2 To strengthen the linkages Implementation by each HEIs Report on between higher education HEI/regional cluster of compacts 2015. institutions and local engagement strategies. communities. These should be included in compact objectives. 5.3 To develop mentoring Regional clusters and local HEIs/regional Programmes in programmes and initiatives for taskforces examine scope clusters 50% of DEIS students in second by for increasing current schools (2017), regional clusters in provision. HEA to identify 75% (2019). collaboration with second-level and disseminate best Note: this is an schools, enterprise and practice indicator, it does community groups. not imply that other schools should be excluded.
analysis of all available data at local level that enables greater understanding of the socio-economic groups in the communities, and accordingly should respond appropriately to their expressed needs. The establishment of the regional clusters and the local Community Development Committees (lCDCs) at city or county level provide an opportunity to launch and support such initiatives. Such committees typically have members who represent a wide spectrum of local community interests, including local authorities and other State agencies, local and community bodies, economic and social partners, and including HEIs. Initiatives or strategies that emerge from such engagements should have some or all of the following elements or characteristics.. A ‘whole-of-education’ approach to access. Communication of the value of higher education. Provision of clear information on education pathways. Reinforcement of HEIs’ engagement with communities and other stakeholders. The use of mentors/role models from within communities – to enable students to make informed decisions about their post-secondary education options. Involvement of parents and teachers as key advisers to students. A number of successful mentoring programmes have emerged around the country, and these will contribute to the development of a template for such programmes nationally. Goal 5: Summary of objectives and actions Objective Action Lead Responsibility Key Performance Indicator(s) 5.1 To develop strategies for increasing access to higher education in communities with low participation levels. pilot initiatives will be established in the context of the new regional clusters and the LCDCs with a view to increasing access and participation in higher education. HEIs/HEA/DES Call for proposals by HEA, 2016. Projects commence, 2016. Review pilot projects, 2018. Increased number of students from target 2019. 5.2 To strengthen the linkages between higher education institutions and local communities. Implementation by each HEI/regional cluster of engagement strategies. These should be included in compact objectives. HEIs Report on compacts 2015. 5.3 To develop mentoring programmes and initiatives for students in second by regional clusters in collaboration with second-level schools, enterprise and community groups. Regional clusters and local taskforces examine scope for increasing current provision. HEA to identify and disseminate best practice HEIs/regional clusters Programmes in 50% of DEIS schools (2017), 75% (2019). Note: this is an indicator, it does not imply that other schools should be excluded.
National-Access-Plan-Accessibility-Version.docx