Deirdre Clune
Ceist:136 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of students that opted out of third level courses in 1998, 1999 and 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10253/01]
Written Answers. - Third Level Education.
Deirdre Clune
Ceist:137 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Education and Science if there is a system in place to interview students who opt out of third level courses in order to establish their reasons for so doing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10254/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 137 together.
The statistical information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. As the Deputy will be aware, the issue of non-completion at third level is a complex one which has been a matter of concern for some time and a number of studies have been undertaken.
In relation to the university sector, the Higher Education Authority recently published a report which was undertaken on their behalf by the Educational Research Centre, Drumcondra, entitled A Study of Non-Completion in Undergraduate University Courses. The report found an overall completion rate of 83% for all first-time entrants to university undergraduate courses, in the 1992/93 academic year.
The report concludes that a tracking mechanism is required to monitor third level students' progress from entry through their course work and through transfer to other courses and institutions. It notes that such a mechanism should provide for the identification of students who depart form third level education. The report also concludes that although some institutions already have good tracking systems in place, there is a need to develop an inter-institutional tracking system. Preliminary steps are already under way to establish tracking mechanisms. The Higher Education Authority is developing an Oracle based data system to store detailed student related data with a view to facilitating the identification of cases where students fail to progress to the next year of a course.
The report recommends that a comprehensive research study be undertaken to examine a range of issues relating to completion in the universities. The Higher Education Authority is currently pursuing this matter and I understand that this study will include ascertaining the views of students.
The HEA, under a series of initiatives aimed at boosting retention rates, currently funds a range of activities, including an investigation of the processes for dealing with student withdrawal, quantitative analysis of the reasons for student withdrawal, the development of a formalised tutoring/mentoring system, study skills programme, counselling for first years, development of a mathematics learning centre and an information pack for schools.
At my Department's request the Council of Directors of Institutes of Technology also commissioned the Education Research Centre, Drumcondra, to undertake a comprehensive study of non-completion on the Institutes' courses. The first part of the ERC study comprises a quantitative analysis of first time entrants to the institutes of technology over a four-year period commencing in 1995 and shows an overall non-completion rate of 42.6% across the sector.
The second part of the study, which is currently under way, focuses on a qualitative analysis of students who leave the institutes' courses without graduating. This will provide a valuable basis for the further development of student tracking systems and the range of measures adopted by the institutes to improve completion rates.
In addition three institutes, Carlow Dundalk and Tralee, have carried out a study, which investigated first year students' perceptions on attrition and their reasons for not completing. This study has been published and has informed a number of initiatives being developed across the sector.
The range of measures operating in different institutes includes additional supports to students identified as being at risk of dropping out. Attention is also being given to improving course materials and other information given to students. Institutes are also working on improving course delivery methods.
The Dublin Institute of Technology conducted a similar study into non-completion on its courses. The results of the Dublin Institute of Technology study, which have been received by my Department, indicate an overall non-completion rate of 39.46% for the 1994 cohort of its first year full time students. It is understood from Dublin Institute of Technology that its research also includes a qualitative study of a cohort of first year full time undergraduate students and the reasons for attrition from courses.