As members of the list will know, in its recent work on Performance
Indicators, HEFCE used "fuzzy matching" techniques to derive overall
progression rates for undergraduate students using the HESA individualised
student record. HEFCE has of course given very strong assurances that the
data will only be used to generate statistical summaries, not identify
individuals.
One institution has expressed interest in obtaining from the HEFCE work
information about what happens to students who fail to complete their
Degrees with the institution. They observe that a fairly significant
minority of those who leave prematurely do so in good academic standing.
They suspect that they are transferring to other institutions within the
sector, but have no reliable way of measuring what is actually happening.
HEFCE has agreed to consider providing a breakdown of the 'transfer totals'
by institution transferred to. This would give an indication of where
students are going in general terms, without providing any information which
would compromise the privacy of individual students. If other institutions
are also interested, it would make it easier for HEFCE to justify the
effort, and to see what priority might be justified. Clearly resources will
be an issue. But, in fact, doing it for the sector is not expected to be
much more work than doing it for one institution.
I should be glad to act as a conduit to HEFCE for any expressions of
interest which list members might wish to make either on this proposal or
other suggestions of further analysis that would be of value, either via the
list or direct to me. I undertake to report to the list the shape of the
outcome - issues and numbers of institutions.
David Young
Policy Adviser
CVCP, Woburn House, 20 Tavistock Square, LONDON WC1H 9HQ
0207 419 5484 fax 0207 388 6256
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