Analysis of equity groups in higher education 1991-2002

Richard James, university of melboure
Gabrielle Baldwin, University of Melbourne
Hamish Coates, University of Melbourne
Kerrie-Lee Krause, University of Melbourne
Craig McInnis, University of Melbourne

Abstract

The Centre for the Study of Higher Education was commissioned to analyse the performance of equity groups in higher education during the period 1991- 2002 and to investigate whether the definitions of equity groups are still appropriate. The project team analysed DEST’s Higher Education Student Statistics Collection for the period 1991-2002 inclusive, examining the performance of five groups: • people from low socio-economic backgrounds; • people from rural or isolated areas; • people with a disability; • people from a non-English speaking background; and • women, especially in non-traditional areas of study and higher degrees. The project team was not asked to analyse the performance of Indigenous people.