In 2019, having worked for Advance HE since 2016, I proposed an update to the student success framework series. Little did I know that this project would span five years, create so many networks, opportunities, friends and, being honest, some sleepless nights!
When the last iteration of the frameworks was launched (2015-16), they were very much focused on transformative practices. For several years, these had underpinned a range of activity across the HE sector, and while still relevant, the sector had evolved significantly in this time. The proposal, therefore, was to strengthen the evidence base that supports all the thematic areas, with a particular focus on ensuring its global relevance for Advance HE’s diverse membership. It was also to include three new frameworks:
- education for sustainable development
- inclusive learning and teaching
- enterprise and entrepreneurship (1)
The update and enhancement to the series began with the first literature review published in September 2021. Across the frameworks, the reviews have been utilised alongside the integration of grey literature, policy papers, case studies and sector feedback. The whole process has been undertaken considerately to ensure that the series remains ‘of the sector and for the sector’.
The frameworks are not prescriptive – this is an important point – while they frame the issue based on the evidence and literature. There is no desire to insist each area is adopted or that other models or frameworks are wrong. What they provide are the key elements that have been triangulated across the approach and shown to be important in enhancing each thematic area. They leverage research, literature and sector feedback to highlight key elements for enhancing student success. Further, the frameworks are designed to cater to both those new to a specific theme and those deeply involved in the area with research or practice.
To achieve this, it is not an easy task. Throughout our positioning we have adopted the aphorism that ‘perfect is the enemy of good’ – indeed, it is arguable that perfection cannot be achieved in each area. However, this should not dissuade us from improving practice and offering these considered dials to the sector. To highlight this point, it is worth sharing the major challenge we faced - distilling reviews in excess of 50,000 words, hours of sector engagement and hundreds of additional resources into approximately 1,200 words.
There are many things to consider but primarily nuance and context can become inadvertently obscured, language can become unclear with meanings lost. We have listened to feedback as these have been launched and edits have and will be made to simplify language and to create clearer definitions of terms – e.g. ‘educators’, which was always intended to encompass wider roles than academics, will become ‘educators +’ within the dials and the description will be ‘educators and related staff’ to clarify our meaning.
While I’m not sure this introduction does the series justice, it is slightly ironic I am faced with a similar challenge – how to cover five years’ worth of work in a paragraph or two!
What does it mean to be successful in higher education?
The simple answer is – it's different for everyone. Here, I hope to unpack just a little of what student success can look like – none of the points are exhaustive or designed in any particular way – more of a springboard to start thinking and engaging with the series to enhance student success - and how universities around the world can help their students achieve it.
Success is more than just grades
While good grades are important, student success is about much more. It's about gaining knowledge, developing skills and growing as a person, it's about the whole student experience. Success can involve:
- academic/discipline achievement: excelling in their chosen field of study
- careers, entrepreneurship and further qualifications: moving smoothly into a job, starting a business or pursuing further studies
- engagement: deepening understanding of the programme and actively allowing students to participate in their learning journey
- transferrable skills acquisition: building valuable transferrable ‘skills’ including critical thinking, communication and problem-solving
- co-curricular activities: enabling participation in campus life, including clubs, sports and volunteer work.
The right support makes all the difference
Higher education providers play a pivotal role in supporting success. The complete series of frameworks is designed to help both institutions, and educators and related staff to do just that. It encourages institutions to consider a raft of aspects that influence success, including:
- the student lifecycle: from accessing HE to providing clear learning goals and effective assessments
- skills mastery: equipping students with the skills employers are looking for, what can support business ventures and/or further study, so they're ready for the next step
- mattering and belonging: enabling students and staff to feel connected to their campus community
- global outlook: preparing students to be responsible citizens in an increasingly interconnected world
- learning options: providing students with increased choices about how, what, when and where they learn, so they can fit studies around life.
When HE providers focus on student success, everyone wins -
- students graduate with the knowledge, skills and confidence to achieve their goals.
- educators and related staff have the satisfaction of knowing they're helping students reach their full potential.
- institutions attract and retain students, building a strong reputation and contributing positively to society.
HE is a transformative experience
By working together, institutions and educators and related staff, alongside students, can create an environment where everyone thrives.
The Essential Frameworks for Enhancing Student Success series helps across the three levels to do this by remaining flexible, while providing structure for a systematic approach that offers consistency, enabling students to maximise success across their learning journey, embracing the opportunities offered, and unlocking their full potential.
Continued support
While the framework series is now updated, the work is not finished! We will continue to support you, our members, across the sector.
Two fabulous resources ChangeBusters and Assessment and Feedback Superchargers have already been developed from the series. These real, practical resources are developed from the literature to enable colleagues to engage with current practice without the need to distil the reviews in their entirety.
Coming soon, we have a resource in Education for Sustainable Development and one in the 3Es of employability, enterprise and entrepreneurship that will be published by the end of 2024.
All the frameworks make direct reference to the Professional Standards Framework 2023 supporting colleagues’ continued professional development (CPD). Our programmes and events, (where appropriate) also align to the series.
Notes:
1: This was first launched in 2019 but as an aligned framework to employability, this update ensures it is seen as an ‘equal’ framework and for those involved in these thematic areas you will know the importance of discussing the ‘3Es on an equal footing.