research on access and lifelong learning. Commission a research HEA Research project to analyse existing HEI commissioned linkages and associated and completed access-related activities with 2016-17. schools, and to identify and disseminate effective practices. 3.8 To review the qualitative Qualitative indicators HEIs/HEA Review of indicators of progress on access reviewed as part of the indicators, 2016. already in place in HEIs, and to strategic dialogue process. advise the HEA on developing a A framework to support good Framework HEA framework to support good practice will be developed developed, 2017. practice. based on this review and other evidence. 4.4 Goal 4: To build coherent pathways from further education and to foster other entry routes to higher education Access to higher education in Ireland is too concentrated at the point of school leaving, and this goal is concerned with broadening the opportunities for entry to higher education. This goal focuses particularly on opportunities for transition from further to higher education, and sets the target of having 10% of new entrants to higher education coming from the further education sector by 2019. This is in line with the further education progression target included in the National Further Education and Training Strategy 2014–2019 published by SOLAS. In addition to direct entry from further to higher education, the regional clusters will provide the context for much deeper collaboration between FEIs and HEIs. This should include partnership at regional cluster level in the development and delivery by FEIs of higher education access and foundation courses. Goal 4: Summary of objectives and actions Lead Key Performance Objective Action Responsibility Indicator(s) 4.1 To support a more coherent and As agreed in the 2014–16 Regional Initial mapping of systematic approach by compacts, each regional Clusters all pathways institutions (working within cluster to map and develop supporting entry HEIs/QQI/ regional clusters) providing clear student pathways, to undergraduate SOLAS/ETBs. different pathways and including those between programmes in supporting the transition to further and higher each cluster higher education. education as well as other submitted by HEIs alternative pathways. to HEA in 2015. Results of analysis to be published by HEA in 2016 as part of overall report on systems performance.
research on access and lifelong learning. Commission a research project to analyse existing HEI linkages and associated access-related activities with schools, and to identify and disseminate effective practices. HEA Research commissioned and completed 2016-17. 3.8 To review the qualitative indicators of progress on access already in place in HEIs, and to advise the HEA on developing a framework to support good practice. Qualitative indicators reviewed as part of the strategic dialogue process. A framework to support good practice will be developed based on this review and other evidence. HEIs/HEA HEA Review of indicators, 2016. Framework developed, 2017. 4.4 Goal 4: To build coherent pathways from further education and to foster other entry routes to higher education Access to higher education in Ireland is too concentrated at the point of school leaving, and this goal is concerned with broadening the opportunities for entry to higher education. This goal focuses particularly on opportunities for transition from further to higher education, and sets the target of having 10% of new entrants to higher education coming from the further education sector by 2019. This is in line with the further education progression target included in the National Further Education and Training Strategy 2014–2019 published by SOLAS. In addition to direct entry from further to higher education, the regional clusters will provide the context for much deeper collaboration between FEIs and HEIs. This should include partnership at regional cluster level in the development and delivery by FEIs of higher education access and foundation courses. Goal 4: Summary of objectives and actions Objective Action Lead Responsibility Key Performance Indicator(s) 4.1 To support a more coherent and systematic approach by institutions (working within regional clusters) providing different pathways and supporting the transition to higher education. As agreed in the 2014–16 compacts, each regional cluster to map and develop clear student pathways, including those between further and higher education as well as other alternative pathways. Regional Clusters HEIs/QQI/ SOLAS/ETBs. Initial mapping of all pathways supporting entry to undergraduate programmes in each cluster submitted by HEIs to HEA in 2015. Results of analysis to be published by HEA in 2016 as part of overall report on systems performance.
National-Access-Plan-Accessibility-Version.docx