Executive Summary

Introduction

The primary objective of this project was to demonstrate the effectiveness of preparatory programs in preparing students for post secondary studies and to highlight the supports identified by learners that colleges provide to enhance student success.

The major focus of this project was:

• to track the success of students who went on to post-secondary programs from September 1995 to January 2000.
• to identify the specific academic and self-management skills acquired in upgrading programs that contributed to this success.

Data was gathered from community colleges province-wide.

There were five steps to the project:

1. Identification of data to be collected and design of collection process
2. Collection of preparatory program student data (Phase One)
3. Collection of comparative non-preparatory post-secondary student data (Phase Two)
4. Telephone survey and focus groups to collect anecdotal information (Phase Three)
5. Analysis of data and final report

Potential impact of project findings

This information demonstrates that mature students do benefit from participating in an upgrading program prior to entering post secondary programming. It can also serve to inform the Ontario College System and referring agencies such as Ontario Works, Workers Safety and Insurance Board, Employment Insurance and Apprenticeship of the significant role that preparatory programs play.

The findings provide important insights relating to the characteristics and experiences of literacy students in college programs, as well as to the supports colleges provide which enhance their learning.