Benchmarking Australian enabling programmes: assuring quality, comparability and transparency

Article


Syme, Suzi, Davis, Charmaine and Cook, Chris. 2021. "Benchmarking Australian enabling programmes: assuring quality, comparability and transparency." Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education. 46 (4), pp. 572-585. https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2020.1804825
Article Title

Benchmarking Australian enabling programmes: assuring quality, comparability and transparency

ERA Journal ID19964
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsSyme, Suzi (Author), Davis, Charmaine (Author) and Cook, Chris (Author)
Journal TitleAssessment and Evaluation in Higher Education
Journal Citation46 (4), pp. 572-585
Number of Pages14
Year2021
Place of PublicationUnited Kingdom
ISSN0260-2938
1469-297X
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2020.1804825
Web Address (URL)https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02602938.2020.1804825
Abstract

Cross institutional benchmarking provides the opportunity to ensure comparability of standards by comparing learning outcomes and assessment practices, and acts as a catalyst for change and improved practice. The comparability of standards is crucial for the transparency and portability of qualifications as well as the assurance of quality student learning outcomes. In Australia there are 48 enabling programmes which provide non-award preparatory study for students who would otherwise be excluded from higher education. Given the diversity of programmes and offerings, this pilot study investigated whether it was possible to establish common learning outcomes and standards across three regional Australian enabling programmes that could set the stage for a national benchmarking framework. Three Australian enabling programmes benchmarked their learning outcomes, curriculum and assessment practices in three subjects: study skills preparation, academic communication and mathematics. The findings clearly indicated that despite differences in offerings and programme structure, there were common learning outcomes and standards, the assessments and assessment practices were comparable and rigorous, and that best practice could be shared and adapted to the benefit of students, staff and institutions.

KeywordsBenchmarking, enabling, bridging, quality, standards
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020390199. Curriculum and pedagogy not elsewhere classified
390303. Higher education
Byline AffiliationsSouthern Cross University
Open Access College
Central Queensland University
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q5x89/benchmarking-australian-enabling-programmes-assuring-quality-comparability-and-transparency

  • 322
    total views
  • 13
    total downloads
  • 2
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Barriers to Access and Participation in Higher Education: The Case for a “Bounded Agency” Perspective
Sherwood, Celeste, Green, Jonathan H., Davis, Charmaine and Devi, Aruna. 2024. "Barriers to Access and Participation in Higher Education: The Case for a “Bounded Agency” Perspective." Padro, Fernando F., Green, Jonathan H. and Bull, David (ed.) Widening Participation in Higher Education. Singapore. Springer. pp. 1-26
Academic literacy in enabling education programs in Australian universities: A shared pedagogy
Davis, Charmaine, Lawson, Kathryn and Duffy, Lisa. 2024. "Academic literacy in enabling education programs in Australian universities: A shared pedagogy." The Australian Educational Researcher. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13384-024-00729-w
Using a five-phase applied linguistics design to develop a contextualized academic literacy placement test for pre-university pathway students
Green, Jonathan H., Davis, Charmaine, Harmes, Marcus, Judith, Kate and Weideman, Albert. 2024. "Using a five-phase applied linguistics design to develop a contextualized academic literacy placement test for pre-university pathway students." Literacy Research and Instruction. https://doi.org/10.1080/19388071.2024.2340031
What are enabling programs? How do they help Australians get to uni?
Hattam, Sarah, Davis, Charmaine and Weiler, Tanya. 2023. "What are enabling programs? How do they help Australians get to uni?" The Conversation.
A Western Agenda for Access and Equity in Higher Education: The Evolution of Widening Participation
Davis, Charmaine and David, Bull. 2023. "A Western Agenda for Access and Equity in Higher Education: The Evolution of Widening Participation." Padro, Fernando F., Green, Jonathan and David, Bull (ed.) Widening Participation in Higher Education. Singapore. Springer. pp. 1-22
Enabling Education in Australia: Emerging Themes and Shared Understandings
Davis, Charmaine. 2023. "Enabling Education in Australia: Emerging Themes and Shared Understandings." Padro, Fernando F., Green, Jonathan and David, Bull (ed.) Widening Participation in Higher Education. Singapore. Springer. pp. 1-21
Benchmarking Australian Enabling Programs for a National Framework of Standards. A Practice Report
Davis, Charmaine, Cook, Chris, Syme, Suzi, Dempster, Sarah, Duffy, Lisa, Hattam, Sarah, Lambrinidis, George, Lawson, Kathy and Levy, Stuart. 2023. "Benchmarking Australian Enabling Programs for a National Framework of Standards. A Practice Report." 8th Students Transitions Achievement Retention & Success Conference (STARS 2023). Brisbane, Australia 03 - 05 Jul 2023 Australia. Queensland University of Technology. https://doi.org/10.5204/ssj.2841
Report on Benchmarking of Enabling Programs across Australia to the National Association of Enabling Educators of Australia (NAEEA)
Davis, Charmaine, Syme, Suzi, Cook, Chris, Dempster, Sarah, Duffy, Lisa, Hattam, Sarah, Lambrinidis, George, Lawson, Kathy and Levy, Stuart. 2023. Report on Benchmarking of Enabling Programs across Australia to the National Association of Enabling Educators of Australia (NAEEA). Australia. Southern Cross University.
The Zone: A Guide to Developing Supports for First Year Student Success
Davis, Charmaine, McGovern, Mary, Green, Orie, Wood, Sylwia and Kealey, Julianne. 2019. The Zone: A Guide to Developing Supports for First Year Student Success. Toowoomba, Australia. University of Southern Queensland.
Looking ahead: Towards a national framework for Australian Enabling programs
Davis, C., Syme, S., Cook, C., Dempster, S., Duffy, L., Hattam, S., Lambrinidis, G., Lawson, K. and Levi, S.. 2022. "Looking ahead: Towards a national framework for Australian Enabling programs." National Association of Enabling Educators of Australia (NAEEA) Conference 2022. Adelaide, Australia 05 - 06 Dec 2022 Australia. National Association of Enabling Educators in Australia (NAEEA).
Community, Engagement and Connectedness: Reflections on Pathway Programs at a Regional Australian University. A Practice Report
Spence, Jenny, Davis, Charmaine, Green, Jonathan H, Green, Orie, Harmes, Marcus and Sherwood, Celeste. 2022. "Community, Engagement and Connectedness: Reflections on Pathway Programs at a Regional Australian University. A Practice Report ." Student Success. 13 (3), pp. 11-19. https://doi.org/10.5204/ssj.2441
Threshold concepts and ‘troublesome’ students: The uneasy application of threshold concepts to marginalised students
Davis, Charmaine and Green, Jonathan H.. 2023. "Threshold concepts and ‘troublesome’ students: The uneasy application of threshold concepts to marginalised students." Teaching in Higher Education. 28 (2), pp. 286-300. https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2020.1799972
Benchmarking three enabling programs: A collaborative approach
Syme, Suzi, Davis, Charmaine and Cook, Chris. 2019. "Benchmarking three enabling programs: A collaborative approach." EPHEA & NAEEA Conference (2019): Enabling Excellence through Equity Conference. Wollongong, Australia 25 - 27 Nov 2019 Australia.
Benchmarking Enabling programs: A step towards a quality framework
Davis, Charmaine, Syme, Suzi and Cook, Chris. 2017. "Benchmarking Enabling programs: A step towards a quality framework." NAEEA Conference 2017: Enabling teaching, Enabling learning. Gold Coast 29 Nov - 01 Dec 2017 Australia. National Association of Enabling Educators in Australia (NAEEA).