Judy,
I've seen the correspondence between you and others, and I agree re
the value added omission. This will distort and even invalidate the
data and the concept of value added. Once again HESA is not acting in
the best interests of the sector that pays for it's existence...Alas,
the press editors will just go with what they are given, so any
letters to the Guardian will be stable door and bolted horses.
I am also concerned about the supply by HESA of three arrays of staff
FTE data, two from the ISR and one from the Aggregate Staff Record.
As the Aggregate Staff Record includes part time staff and other
"casuals" this should be the only data supplied to the press. The use
of the other two in SSR calculations not only inflates SSRs to the
detriment of the sector both at home and abroad, but also grossly
misrepresents the situation. The press usually use the ISR data in
SSR calculations and league tables, as if only full time contract
staff taught in universities and colleges. The result is a PR own
goal at home and abroad as parents of overseas students reach
judgements on UK HE.
Rant over. i trust you are well - haven't seen you in ages!
Steve Pelan
Head of Planning & Development Services
Middlesex University
[log in to unmask]
Tel:0181 362 5901
Fax:0181 449 0798
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