Can Targeted, Non-Cognitive Skills Programs Improve Achievement?

This is the title of a new research paper by Pedro Martins from the University of London. Martins’ findings show that a targeted program related to non-cognitive ability – in this case study skills, motivation, and self-esteem – can improve student achievement at state schools in Portugal. In work that I have done with Liam and Colm, there is a clear demonstration of academic advantage for Irish university students who are more future-orientated and more conscientious. Given all of the above, there is a case for considering whether the Portugese program can translate (with obvious modifications) to Irish universities, and Irish schools. Of course, it must be borne in mind that there is an existing Access program in Irish universities (and Irish schools) which provides academic and social supports. The Access program was evaluated in the setting of an Irish university by Denny, Doyle, O’Reilly and O’Sullivan (2010); the results suggesting that Access programs can be an effective means of improving academic outcomes for socio-economically disadvantaged students attending Irish universities. One question that I plan to investigate further is whether the design of Access programs in Ireland exlicitly considers the concept of non-cognitive skill formation. I would be interested to hear from any readers who have any information on this.

Fair admissions to university?

The evidence base for fair admissions: can we achieve excellence and social justice?

The University of Manchester
7 - 8 July 2011

A unique conference bringing together theorists, researchers and policy-makers in higher education, working on fair admissions to competitive higher education institutions.

The full programme for the conference will be available from February 2011.

Assorted Links

1. The Economist on British schools

2. Are "Dublin graduates" more likely to find jobs?

3. Poor students 'just as likely to gain good degree'

4. Volunteering: something that people feel morally obligated to do when asked, but which they would just as soon let someone else do?

5. Curb Your Enthusiasm: The Economist on the dangers of getting too excited

6. Speaking of curbing enthusiasm, below is a clip from the TV show where Larry David teaches Christian Slater the unwritten rules of hors d'oeuvres consumption. Peter Martin explains how this video illustrates the work of Elinor Ostrom for which she won this year's Economics Nobel Prize (on rules for managing common-pool resources).

Reminder: New ERA Conference (Plus Change of Venue)

This is a reminder about the half-day New ERA conference to be held on Thursday (December 3rd). The venue for Thursday's conference has been changed to the Stillorgan Park Hotel. If you get the 46A, the Stillorgan Park Hotel is just a few more stops after UCD. A map is available here.

The study examines the performance of the New ERA programme across 3 domains: increased access from disadvantaged school, retention rates and overall exam performance. Susan Dynarski, (Professor of Education and Public Policy, University of Michigan, USA) will deliver the keynote address. The full programme is below.

10.30: Registration

11.00: Welcome

Dr. Philip Nolan, Registrar, UCD Ann O'Brien, Director of access, NUI Maynooth

11.20: Keynote Address:

Professor Susan Dynarski, Professor of Education and Public Policy, University of Michigan, USA

12.00: Evaluating the impact of the UCD New ERA Widening Participation Initiative Dr. Kevin Denny and Dr. Orla Doyle, UCD

12.45: Questions and Answers

Close: Anna Kelly, Director of Access and Life Long Learning, UCD

13.00: Lunch

Evaluating the Impact of the UCD New ERA Widening Participation Initiative

This is the title of a half-day conference to be held in UCD on December 3rd. Full details (including where to RSVP) are available here. The study examines the performance of the New ERA programme across 3 domains: increased access from disadvantaged school, retention rates and overall exam performance. Kevin Denny will present the results. Susan Dynarski, (Professor of Education and Public Policy, University of Michigan, USA) will deliver the keynote address.

Impact of economic downturn on college access

The impact of the economic downturn in the United States on low- and moderate-income students was the topic of an all-day national roundtable discussion on June 13 2008 at Vanderbilt University's Peabody College of education and human development. The video is below.