Student transfer from Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology to university in Ontario, an examination of student characteristics and motivations

grantor: University of TorontoOntario supports a dual system of post secondary education comprised primarily of two distinct institutional types; 17 degree granting universities, and 25 Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology (CAATs). Until now, there has been no system-wide structure to coordinate higher education in general, or to allow student mobility between the sectors. There has been tremendous change within Ontario in the 30 year period since the creation of the college system. The new face of Ontario includes a changing provincial demographic profile, greater competition for provincial funds, and the need for an adaptable work force capable of integrating the use of new technologies and generic skills. These recent demands have rekindled the recurring debate over student mobility within the post secondary education sector. The research in this thesis adds information unique to Ontario in that it describes the demographic and educational characteristics, as well as the motivational factors that led more than 1000 respondents to seek full-time university studies in Ontario. The analysis of the data makes extensive use of cross tabulations using four variables: gender, CAAT academic division, length of time lapsed after college, and self-reported secondary school grades. The findings provide useful background information for provincial planners and educational policy makers.Ed.D