Increasing Accessibility to Advanced Education for Under-Represented Albertans. A Discussion Document

Overview & Synopsis

In 2005, Alberta's Minister of Advanced Education initiated a comprehensive exercise to establish a new vision for the province's advanced education system. Through the A Learning Alberta initiative, a revised vision and new policy outcomes for Alberta's advanced education system will be articulated. A key question of A Learning Alberta is how to ensure that opportunities are available to every Albertan to advance their education - to maximize their own potential as well as to contribute to their communities and the continued prosperity of the province now and in the future. To explore the issues impacting accessibility, information was gathered on policies and programs, and recent research and consultation reports were reviewed. This paper discusses the multidimensional nature of access; describes learning pathways for youth; summarizes the advanced education system with a focus on foundation skills and basic upgrading; outlines the challenges faced by specific populations; suggests opportunities for increasing accessibility; and concludes with key questions for stakeholders. This paper on accessibility is complemented by a number of other discussion papers including Ensuring affordability, Investing in Alberta's advanced education system, and Advanced education in rural Alberta. [This report was produced by Alberta Advanced Education.]