Post-Secondary Education

Accessibility and Affordability Review

Final Report
A Report by
Warren McCall
Chair, Post-Secondary Education Accessibility and Afordability Review
MLA, Regina Elphinstone-Centre
October 2007
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0ontants
Letter of Transmittal ........................................................................................................................................ v
Final Report
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 1
A Vision for Accessible and Affordable Post-Secondary Education ............................................................. 2
Key Goals and Themes .................................................................................................................................... 3
Recommendations and Key Priorities ............................................................................................................ 8
Final Recommendations of the Post-Secondary Education Accessibility and Affordability Review ........ 10
Research and Consultations
APPENDIX 1: Research and the Review ..................................................................................................... 15
APPENDIX 2: Saskatchewans System of Post-Secondary Education ....................................................... 19
APPENDIX 3: Post-Secondary Education Accessibility and Affordability Research ................................ 35
The Research Themes .................................................................................................................................... 36
APPENDIX 4: Phase One Consultations .................................................................................................... 87
Presentations and Submissions to the McCall Review ................................................................................ 87
Provincial Youth Advisory Committee Forum Results .............................................................................. 112
Citizen Forum Results ................................................................................................................................. 114
Stakeholder Forum Results ......................................................................................................................... 119
APPENDIX 5: Phase Two Consultations .................................................................................................. 125
Context of Post-Secondary Education: Focus of the Review .................................................................... 126
Participation in and Barriers to Accessible Post-Secondary Education .................................................... 128
Post-Secondary System Issues: Transitions and System Coordination ..................................................... 132
Costs of Post-Secondary Education ........................................................................................................... 139
Financing Post-Secondary Education ......................................................................................................... 141
Roles and Responsibilities in Post-Secondary Education Financing ....................................................... 147
Specifc Feedback on the Interim Report ................................................................................................... 148
APPENDIX 6: Concluding Observations on Research............................................................................. 149
BIBLIOGRAPHY ....................................................................................................................................... 159
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List of Figures:
Appendix 2:
Figure 1: Enrolments in Public Saskatchewan Post-Secondary Education, 2000/01 to 2005/06 .............. 23
Figure 2: Government of Saskatchewan Total Expenditures on Post-Secondary Education .................. 27
Figure 3: Percentage Change in Provincial Government Funding for Post-Secondary Education,
1993/94 to 2004/05 ................................................................................................................................ 28
Figure 4: Federal, Provincial and Territorial Expenditures: Spending on Post-Secondary Education
as a Proportion of Expenditures for Canada, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta and
British Columbia, 1989 to 2006 ............................................................................................................ 29
Figure 5: Provincial Transfers to Universities and Colleges, Canada and the Provinces, 2006 ................ 29
Figure 6: Public and Private Expenditures on all Saskatchewan Post-Secondary Education,
1997/98 to 2001/02 ................................................................................................................................ 33
Appendix 3:
Figure 1: Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP)-Funded Student Population,
1998/99 to 2003/04 ................................................................................................................................ 47
Figure 2: Repayable and Non-Repayable Assistance ................................................................................... 50
Figure 3: Repayable and Non-Repayable Assistance for Students with and without Dependents ............ 51
Figure 4: Number of Loans Authorized vs. Number of Applicants ........................................................... 52
Figure 5: Changes in Expected Parental Contributions .............................................................................. 59
Figure 6: Changes in Minimum Expected Student Contributions............................................................. 61
Figure 7: Number of Tax Returns Claiming Tuition and Education Tax Credits....................................... 64
Figure 8: Saskatchewans Net Migration of Youth (Aged 15-29), 1989/90 to 2005/06 .............................. 81
List of Tables:
Appendix 2:
Table 1: Average Undergraduate Tuition Fees, Canada and the Provinces, 1990 to 2007
(Selected Years) ....................................................................................................................................... 24
Table 2: Average Tuition Fees for SIAST Certifcate and Diploma Programs ............................................ 25
Appendix 3:
Table 1: Canada and Saskatchewan Student Loans Authorized ................................................................. 48
Table 2: Profle of Saskatchewan Integrated Student Loan Borrowers ........................................................ 49
Table 3: Canada and Saskatchewan Student Loans Authorized ................................................................. 50
Table 4: Saskatchewan and Canada Student Loan Debt for Saskatchewan Borrowers
Entering Repayment .............................................................................................................................. 55
Table 5: Canada and Saskatchewan Grants for Students with Permanent Disabilities .............................. 56
Table 6: Individuals Receiving Debt Reduction in Repayment and the Permanent Disability
Beneft by Fiscal Year ............................................................................................................................. 56
Table 7: Percent of Integrated Interest Relief Applicants and Approved Applicants by
Client Category and Age ....................................................................................................................... 57
Table 8: Parental Income of Rejected Single Dependent Students ............................................................. 58
Table 9: Spousal and Parental Contributions .............................................................................................. 60
Table 10: Total Expected Contributions by Student Category ................................................................... 60
Table 11: Percentage of Borrowers with Unmet Need by Client Category ................................................ 62
Table 12: Profle of Provincial Training Allowance Recipients ................................................................... 66
Table 13: Profle of Students Receiving Canada Part-Time Loans .............................................................. 84
Table 14: Profle of Skills Training Beneft Recipients, 2004/05 and 2005/06 ........................................... 85
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Appendix 5:
Table 1: Meetings ....................................................................................................................................... 125
Table 2: Written Submissions from Groups and Citizens ......................................................................... 126
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Lattar of
Transm|tta|
To the Honourable Lorne Calvert
Premier of Saskatchewan
I am pleased to submit to you my fnal report and
recommendations on accessible and affordable education in
Saskatchewan.
Excellence and opportunity mark the future of Saskatchewans
post-secondary education system. This system is essential to
improving the social and economic well-being of individuals
and in developing an innovative and economically prosperous
province.
Saskatchewans nation-leading per capita investment in post-
secondary education is a strong base for a system that can be even
stronger.
I believe my recommendations will signifcantly improve the delivery of post-secondary education while
strengthening the reputation for excellence that our institutions have earned. I thank the many people
across Saskatchewan who contributed their time and knowledge to the Review.
I want to thank you for the opportunity to work on this assignment which will help to enable the people
of Saskatchewan to fully develop their potential, and the potential of the province.
Honourable Warren McCall
Chair, Post-Secondary Education Accessibility and Affordability Review
Minister of Advanced Education and Employment
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|ntroduct|on
It has been my pleasure to lead this review of the accessibility and affordability of post-secondary
education in Saskatchewan. When Premier Calvert approached me with this opportunity in May 2006,
I understood the enormous importance that post-secondary education plays in Saskatchewan, not only
in improving the social and economic well-being of individuals, but also in the development of an
innovative and economically prosperous province. I also understood that post-secondary education is
more diffcult for some people to pursue than for others. My task included understanding fully what
those barriers are, but more importantly, outlining what we the provincial government, our federal
and First Nations and Mtis partners, our universities and training institutions, families and students
can do together to ensure more people have the opportunity to participate in and beneft from a quality
post-secondary education experience in Saskatchewan. Improving access is a vital issue for Saskatchewan
people and our economic prosperity, and it is one that requires cooperation and commitment from all
of our partners.
Saskatchewan is in the enviable position of having a booming and diversifed economy. But our
province is challenged by not having enough educated and skilled workers to meet the growing needs of
the economy. Since 2004-05, our government has focused on increasing access to training opportunities.
Increasing access to training opportunities was a very important theme in the 2005 Training System
Review. The review recommended increasing training program capacity by 30 per cent over the next fve
years and this goal has been met. Through the CareerStart Initiative, Saskatchewan has increased access
to the training system by expanding capacity by some 6,164 training opportunities since 2004-2005.
When combined with one-time capacity increases of 2,320 opportunities, this represents 8,484 new
training opportunities.
Notwithstanding this success, more needs to be done. Post-secondary education is necessary for our
continued social and economic prosperity, including meeting our labour market challenges. Post-
secondary education also drives a great deal of the innovation and productivity that propels our
provincial economy. And demand from employers is high for post-secondary graduates in our province.
As our economy and the demand for graduates continues to grow, it is important for all of us to ensure
that more people than ever are able to beneft from the prosperity and opportunities that are afforded to
post-secondary education graduates.
Over the course of the last year, my review staff and I have been engaged with our stakeholders to
capture a complete picture of post-secondary education in Saskatchewan. It was important to me
to not only hear from stakeholders and the public throughout the province, but also to understand
what we can learn from the research already available. After I was appointed in May 2006, my review
staff conducted a thorough analysis of the current research on accessibility and affordability of post-
secondary education. This research was useful to help guide my review and to inform stakeholders in
Saskatchewan and assist them in preparing their submissions. I held eleven public consultation hearings
throughout the province over the winter months of 2006-07. It was critical for me to hear the issues that
were important to Saskatchewan people, including post-secondary education stakeholders where they
lived and learned. I also wanted to ensure that learners and stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds
were able to participate and share their concerns with me. To identify the key issues in Saskatchewan,
citizen and stakeholder consensus forums were held in Prince Albert, Regina, and Saskatoon in January
2007.
I presented Premier Calvert with my interim report on April 11, 2007, which provided a summary of
what I learned through the research and consultations. I also outlined a number of potential options
that helped guide my subsequent discussions with stakeholders.
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Since the interim report was released, the work continued on the issues I raised. I have met with post-
secondary education stakeholders across the province, and I have heard reactions to the report from
members of the public. I heard directly from the delegates at the Saskatchewan Institute of Public
Policy/Saskatchewan Association of University Teachers conference titled Future of Post-Secondary
Education in Saskatchewan: Affordability and Accessibility. I had the opportunity there to present
my interim report and to hear directly from stakeholders where I should focus my efforts as I moved
forward with the review.
It was also important to ensure that a complete and accurate picture was available on post-secondary
education issues in Saskatchewan. My review staff conducted further research into areas that I identifed
in my interim report. The research compendium has helped shape this fnal report and I hope that it
will provide further information and analysis to those involved in the discussion on post-secondary
education.
I greatly valued the information that I gathered through my consultations, and I am grateful for the
time and effort that was afforded to me. I am very impressed with the unparalleled dedication and
commitment of those who work in Saskatchewans post-secondary education system. Saskatchewan
has a century-long history of excellent post-secondary education that is dedicated to the service of
the province and its people, and I am in awe of the commitment and passion of educators, students,
administrators, and others who continue to uphold and promote this most noble of missions. Our
province is very fortunate to have this tradition on which to build and improve.
I also had the opportunity to see how our province is a leader in post-secondary education. We have
had many successes that have contributed to the education of thousands of post-secondary education
students, and for that, Saskatchewan should be proud. Our system of student fnancial assistance
continues to evolve. This spring, an online application form was introduced that makes it easier for
students to apply for and receive government assistance, while expected parental contributions were
decreased to improve access for many middle- to moderate-income families. Funding increases to
the Provincial Training Allowance have enabled hundreds of low-income adults to move into post-
secondary education. Our institutions have excelled at responding to the needs of their students and
our province. SIAST has expanded its capacity to meet employer demands for more graduates from its
well-respected programs. Our universities have shown national leadership in recruiting and supporting
more Aboriginal learners at their institutions. And the student groups at our institutions provide services
that meet the needs of their members, from childcare, to employment, to much needed social activities.
All of these initiatives contribute to an excellent educational experience of post-secondary education
students in Saskatchewan.
Through my consultations, I concluded that it was necessary for my fnal report to lay out for
the Premier and the people of the province a vision for the future of post-secondary education in
Saskatchewan and to set its future direction by identifying key principles and overarching goals for the
system, the key themes necessary to move forward on those goals and specifc recommendations or
priorities for the shorter term.
A V|s|on for Accass|b|a and Affordab|a Post-Sacondary Fducat|on
Saskatchewan has a system of post-secondary education that is comprised of a variety of institutions
throughout the province, students in numerous programs, and learners at different stages of their lives
and careers. It is vital that this system, with diverse stakeholders with differing missions and mandates,
provides learners with multiple ways of accessing and completing post-secondary education. The system
must be able to provide and support access for all learners throughout their lives and be sensitive to the
different paths learners may take to post-secondary education.
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I believe it is essential that the Government of Saskatchewan put forward a vision for accessible and
affordable post-secondary education that our stakeholders, students, and families can share and strive
toward. I believe that this vision can serve government in guiding its future policy and budget decisions
to improve our system of post-secondary education.
While the issues presented to me in the consultations were diverse and complex, I heard great
similarities and agreement around the role of accessible and affordable post-secondary education in
the future of our province and how all stakeholders need to work together to serve the province and its
learners.
To this end, I recommend that the Government of Saskatchewan adopt the following vision for
accessible and affordable post-secondary education in Saskatchewan:
Saskatchewan people have access to affordable and high-quality post-secondary education and
training throughout their lives and careers that allows them to contribute to and beneft from an
economically and socially prosperous province.
Key principles guiding our future actions are:
Access
There is an expectation that the post-secondary education system accommodates a diversity of needs and
provides quality learning opportunities to all learners. No individual should be denied the opportunity
of undertaking or completing post-secondary education due to fnancial and/or non-fnancial barriers.
Affordability
Tuition costs must be predictable and should not lead to unsupportable levels of debt. Financial
assistance must be adequate and responsive to meet the needs of our diverse group of learners.
Quality
There is an expectation the post-secondary education sector and its individual institutions provide high
quality education outcomes and intellectual environments for learners. Institutions must emphasize
creativity, research and innovation, as well as service to local and broader communities.
Kay 0oa|s and Thamas
I had the privilege of hearing from numerous post-secondary education stakeholders over the past
year, and they spoke earnestly and with great passion of the challenges they face, the values they hold
dear, and the role that they see themselves playing in moving our system of post-secondary education
forward. In my interim report, I outlined what I heard during our public consultations. During my
subsequent consultations with stakeholders following the release of my interim report, the discussion
became more focused and the goals and key themes have emerged more clearly.
I also relied heavily on the information that was gathered through the research component of my
review process. The literature review informed the discussions I had with stakeholders, and independent
research was also undertaken to fll the gaps into what we knew about Saskatchewan learners and
the barriers they experience. The research impressed upon me three important points: the need to
increase the number of people earning post-secondary education credentials by reaching out to under-
represented groups; our province has achieved signifcant success in developing a quality and world-class
4 Nc0ALL 8FV|Fw F|hAL 8FP08T 2007
system of post-secondary education; and the need to ensure graduates are able to apply their knowledge
and skills in the labour market, the economy and community.
In my interim report, I outlined a wide-range of actions and research initiatives that were put forward
during the initial phase of the review. The action items from the interim report were discussed with
stakeholders, and I have consolidated and drawn them forward to the fnal report. I also felt it was
necessary to have data on our learners and our system of post-secondary education available at my
reviews website (www.aee.gov.sk.ca/aar). The interim reports literature review and this fnal reports
research compendium provide greater detail on the recommendations regarding the need for further
research on these themes. However, it was equally important to hear directly from institutions, students
and educators.
Based on the fndings from the entire review process the key goals and themes that emerged are:
Goals
Expand access to and participation in post-secondary education;
Support a high quality, learner-centred post-secondary education system; and
Facilitate connections between post-secondary graduates and employment opportunities in
Saskatchewan.
Themes
The need to increase the number of individuals participating in and completing post-secondary
education programs;
The need to ensure learners and families have access to appropriate supports to encourage
completion of post-secondary education studies;
The need to develop an integrated system that facilitates collaboration and supports life-long
learning;
The need to support excellence and innovation at Saskatchewans post-secondary educational
institutions; and
The need to facilitate transitions from post-secondary education and skills training to
employment.
0oa|: Fxpand Accass to and Part|c|pat|on |n Post-Sacondary Fducat|on
It is imperative to ensure that more individuals are able to share in the opportunities and prosperity that
our economy has to offer. Post-secondary education is the key to greater employment opportunities,
higher wages and greater contributions to our social fabric. Meeting the economic and social demands
of our province depends greatly on increasing the number of highly skilled and educated graduates from
our universities, training institutions and trades programs.
The need to increase the number of individuals participating in and completing post-secondary education
programs
Encourage Greater Participation of Under-represented Groups
While Saskatchewan has consistently had high participation rates for youth in post-secondary education,
the provinces educational attainment level is comparatively low. More must be done to reach out
to individuals who are not currently participating in the system, particularly Aboriginal people, frst
generation post-secondary learners, rural students and persons with disabilities. These are the four key
groups that stakeholders and the research identifed as being under-represented in the system, and
who need to be encouraged to participate at higher levels. Unfortunately, many of these individuals
experience complex barriers that impact their decision to pursue post-secondary education, including
fnancial barriers, but also and sometimes more importantly non-fnancial barriers such as lack of

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awareness of the benefts of post-secondary education, few role models who have gone through post-
secondary education, and family or community commitments. Many of these individuals may make the
decision in Grade 7 or earlier to not pursue post-secondary education. It is imperative that all youth in
our province know and believe that post-secondary education is within their reach.
Work with Institutions and Students to Develop an Affordability Framework for Tuition
The cost of tuition was raised as an important issue for university students and their families. The
Government of Saskatchewans university tuition freeze was the initial response to address fnancial
accessibility while I conducted my review, and we have fulflled our promise of keeping tuition at 2004-05
levels for university undergraduate programs and most graduate programs for the past three years.
It is essential that university education be affordable for all students and we maintain the high quality
of education necessary to be competitive with other institutions. Affordable and quality university
education plays an important role in making Saskatchewan an attractive place for out-of-province
students to learn and to begin their careers in our province. Implementing the Graduate Tax Exemption
in 2007 provides an additional incentive for graduates to live and work in Saskatchewan by exempting
graduates from paying Saskatchewan income tax on the frst $20,000 of income for the fve years after
graduation.
The experience at Saskatchewans training institutions is very different. Access in the training system
means increased capacity at our institutions. During my consultations, tuition fees were not raised as a
signifcant barrier to post-secondary education for SIAST or its students. While tuition fees are lower at
SIAST than at the universities, the shorter duration of certifcate and diploma programs also translates
into students paying less in total for tuition, relocation and living expenses, and accumulating less debt.
The nature of SIASTs mandate to provide training that meets employer needs also assists students to
transition easily into their careers.
Support parents and learners through relevant information for career, education and fnancial planning
I heard from stakeholders that relevant information is required on the benefts of post-secondary
education, the link between education and careers, and how to plan both academically and fnancially
for post-secondary education. This lack of information makes it diffcult for learners to make good
decisions, and it makes it equally diffcult for parents or employers to support learners in their decisions.
Many stakeholders provide information for potential students; we have a strong platform to build on.
In our efforts to encourage greater participation, we have an excellent opportunity to review how we can
better provide information to a diverse potential student population.
Advanced Education and Employments Career and Employment Services focus on providing high
quality career and employment services to those that they serve. As well, the unequivocal success of the
rebranded SaskJobs.ca website has shown how online services can meet the needs of Saskatchewan job
seekers and employers. The Canada-Saskatchewan Career and Employment Services offces represent an
excellent opportunity to provide comprehensive career and employment assistance to all workers, job
seekers and learners in the province.
The need to ensure learners and families have access to appropriate supports to encourage completion of post-
secondary education studies
Stakeholders were concerned that encouraging learners to complete their studies is just as important as
ensuring they are able to participate in post-secondary education in the frst place. There is a signifcant
cost to both students and the system when students do not graduate. As well, students who do not
complete their studies tend not to receive the same benefts from post-secondary education as do
graduates, such as higher wages or greater employment opportunities.
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Culturally-Relevant Academic and Institutional Supports
Equally important is to make sure that Aboriginal learners have access to culturally-relevant academic
and institutional supports that meet their needs. There is an array of programs that support student
completion. In discussions around improving completion of programs in the trades, the idea of job
coaches come up frequently as a good resource for learners. Job coaches reinforce learning and provide
encouragement and support to students. This is a model that is being applied in the academic setting as
well.
Access to Adequate Financial Supports
Ensuring learners have access to appropriate and adequate fnancial support, through families,
institutions, government and employers is also a key issue. The provincial governments student
fnancial assistance programs have assisted thousands of students every year by providing loans,
bursaries or other assistance that help alleviate the fnancial barriers to post-secondary education. But
I heard from stakeholders that program improvements can be made to further enhance access. I heard
from many stakeholders that spoke of the complexity of the student loan program. Simplifcation of
the processes that a student goes through to apply for a student loan, receive their fnancial assistance,
repay their debt and communicate with offcials would contribute to improving access to these support
programs. I also heard this summer from students who were concerned about the rising cost of housing
in Saskatoon. Students suggested to me that, as a short-term solution, government loan limits could be
increased to ensure students had the fnancial assistance needed for housing.
The Provincial Training Allowance is another important source of fnancial assistance for thousands of
low-income learners accessing Adult Basic Education, bridging programs and short-term programs. Since
my interim report was released, my review staff and I have analyzed the adequacy of funding available
under the Provincial Training Allowance. For many students, improvements are necessary to better
cover their living costs while attending their studies through both increasing living allowances and
enhancing their ability to earn more work-related income. A concern for another group of students was
their diffculties in transitioning between two different income support systems, i.e., from the Provincial
Training Allowance to the Canada-Saskatchewan Integrated Student Loan Program.
During my discussions, many stakeholders indicated that there are many players who can contribute
to the fnancial support of students. Certainly, students highlighted the need for more non-repayable
assistance to improve access and reduce debt. The institutions indicated the need to provide scholarships
to remain competitive in the recruitment of students, but also to meet the fnancial needs of their
students.
The institutions had expressed interest in building their scholarship capacity by creating partnerships
between the provincial government, private donors, and the institutions. They impressed on me the
opportunity to work together to create scholarships that would ultimately be of beneft to our students.
0oa|: Support a h|gh-qua||ty, |aarnar-cantrad post-sacondary aducat|on systam
Increasing access to post-secondary education in and of itself is not enough. In addition, people must
have access to high quality post-secondary education. Saskatchewans post-secondary institutions must
continue to work together to ensure a seamless and integrated system that responds to learner needs
and supports a system of credit transfer across institutions. The system must also continue to support
the success of students within the institution and must build themselves into the community and
maximize their services and benefts to the public while continuing to demonstrate accountability and
transparency. As the face of our provincial population continues to change, it is also important that our
post-secondary education system evolves to respond to the diverse needs of our learners, particularly the
needs of adult learners as life-long learning continues to be supported.
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The need to develop an integrated system that facilitates collaboration and supports life-long learning
Create and Accelerate a Culture of Credit Transfer
Saskatchewans system of post-secondary education is world class and continues to provide high-quality
educational opportunities to learners. One area where more work needs to be done is in creating a
seamless and integrated post-secondary system for learners. I heard that many learners take diverse paths
into post-secondary education including moving from the workforce back into studies. This life-long
learning approach needs to be better accommodated across the sector through more seamless credit
transfer across institutions.
Support Innovative and Flexible Delivery Methods to Encourage Greater Participation of All Learners, including
Rural, Remote and Part-time Learners
A learner-centered post-secondary system will also reach out to eliminate distance as a barrier to post-
secondary education. Technology enhanced learning and distance learning initiatives are valuable
methods of eliminating the barrier of distance.
In my consultations with stakeholders, the issue of how and where learners receive their education was
raised as a key issue affecting access. I heard from students who relocated for their studies and faced
higher costs for transportation and housing, as well as leaving behind family or community supports.
However, I also heard of the innovative best practices our institutions have implemented to take the
learning to the learners. Our network of regional colleges, partnerships like SaskCAT, and distance
education opportunities offered through Campus Saskatchewan and mobile training labs have all
enhanced the ability of students to receive high-quality post-secondary education where they live.
In northern Saskatchewan, I heard of particular challenges relative to geography and distance and of
the need to expand the capacity of northern institutions to respond with more programming that will
better meet the needs of northern learners and the economy. The success of the Northern Teacher
Education Program and the Northern Public Administration Program were highlighted throughout my
consultations as was the need to expand the number of seats in these programs as well as the scope of
the Northern Teacher Education Program to secondary teaching with a focus on maths and sciences.
The work of Northlands College in supporting the needs of the northern resource economy was also
highlighted throughout my discussions.
The need to support excellence and innovation at Saskatchewans post-secondary education institutions
Support Innovative Research and Facilitate Private Sector Partnerships
Although outside my original mandate, my discussions with stakeholders rarely separated the issue of
quality education from accessibility and affordability. It is essential that Saskatchewans system continues
to be upheld as an example of rigorous, high-quality and innovative post-secondary education.
Excellence in post-secondary education is not only about the quality of our courses, programs and
teaching but must also be a function of the level of research and innovation that takes place within our
institutions that are so mandated. To support this excellence, better linkages to the private sector and
the focus on the commercialization of research are needed. This is also an opportunity to attract more
students to graduate programs in Saskatchewan universities and to spark future innovators and that will
help build a knowledge advantage.
Measure Success
Throughout my discussions I heard about the quality of Saskatchewan post-secondary sector and I also
heard that we need to do a better job in measuring and communicating our success and identifying the
outcomes of the public investment in post-secondary education.
8 Nc0ALL 8FV|Fw F|hAL 8FP08T 2007
0oa|: Fac|||tata connact|ons batwaan post-sacondary graduatas and
amp|oymant opportun|t|as |n Saskatchawan.
Connecting Saskatchewans post-secondary education graduates to employment opportunities mutually
benefts employers, the individual graduates and the province.
The need to facilitate transitions from post-secondary education to employment.
Experiential Learning
Throughout my consultations, I heard that we must do more to connect post-secondary graduates to the
employment opportunities that are emerging. These connections provide employers and communities
with access to highly skilled learners. They provide learners with invaluable experiential learning and
fnancial support, and they enable growth and productivity of the economy and the province.
8acommandat|ons And Kay Pr|or|t|as
In reviewing these themes, I refected on the suggestions that were made to me and what I had learned
from the research and consultations. In order to achieve the goals necessary to build upon our world
class post-secondary system I have made 51 separate recommendations. These have been drawn forward
from the interim report and developed in more focused discussion during the second phase of the
review.
However, I believe that there are a number of key priorities for action that we must act upon in the
near term that will improve the accessibility, affordability and excellence of post-secondary education
in Saskatchewan. These priorities for action encompass a blend of universal and targeted measures. I am
pleased to make the following priority recommendations to the Premier.
Tuition Fees and Quality
I recommend that the Government of Saskatchewan freeze tuition for another year and, on top of that,
fully fund a tuition reduction of $1,000 per academic year for undergraduate students at the University
of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina. This tuition reduction will make Saskatchewans average
undergraduate tuition one of the lowest in Canada.
I also recommend that the Government of Saskatchewan, the universities and students begin discussions
to formalize a tuition framework. It is important that future tuition decisions are affordable and
predictable to better help students and their families plan appropriately while allowing institutions to
improve quality.
Expand Training Opportunities
Access in the training system means increased capacity at our institutions. I recommend that the
Government of Saskatchewan continue to work with SIAST, the Regional Colleges, Gabriel Dumont
Institute, Dumont Technical Institute, the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies and the
Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certifcation Commission to further expand training
opportunities. These increased training opportunities will be delivered provincewide in our training
centres, through distance learning and, with our mobile training labs, to learners in small communities
and at worksites.
Matched Scholarship Fund
I recommend that the Government of Saskatchewan work with our post-secondary education
institutions to establish a scholarship program with government funds that would be used to match
private donations to institution endowment funds. Government should match private donations for a
fve-year campaign period. This design would leverage private donations and create a culture of giving
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to our universities and training institutions, including SIAST, the regional colleges, the Saskatchewan
Indian Institute of Technologies, the Dumont Technical Institute, and the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship
and Trade Certifcation Commission.
Student Supports and Information
I recommend that the Government of Saskatchewan enhance the career and education services and
information available for youth and parents. Developing relevant services and information will require
coordination and cooperation among all stakeholders.
I recommend that the Government of Saskatchewan work with Saskatchewans training institutions
to decrease barriers for people with disabilities through the provision of additional funds to support
students, as well as work to enhance services at both the University of Regina and University of
Saskatchewan for persons with disabilities and Aboriginal students.
Early Intervention Initiative
I recommend that the Government of Saskatchewan, in co-operation with school divisions, initiate
a pilot project that would target Grades 9, 10 and 11 students from low socio-economic status
neighbourhoods. This pilot would provide incentives to encourage greater participation in post-
secondary education by Aboriginal people, frst generation post-secondary learners, rural students and
persons with disabilities. This project would provide these students with fnancial incentives for post-
secondary education if they graduate from high school with a satisfactory academic average, having
stayed away from alcohol, drugs and criminal activity during high school.
Seamless Credit Transfer
I recommend expanding the initiatives under SaskCAT (Saskatchewan Council for Admissions and
Transfers) to improve student mobility by facilitating relationships to recognize course equivalencies
and credit transfer arrangements. This greater mobility will improve the affordability of post-secondary
education if students are able to get previous credits recognized when they pursue a program at a
different institution.
Northern Centre of Learning
I recommend that the Government of Saskatchewan support the creation of a Northern Centre of
Learning by providing capital funding to construct a joint-use facility for post-secondary education.
Such a centre would have one physical location, providing a hub for enhanced distance and satellite
learning throughout the north.
Centre of Aboriginal Training Excellence
I recommend that the Government of Saskatchewan recognize the important role that the Saskatchewan
Indian Institute of Technologies plays in our education and training system by providing increased
support to allow the institution to establish itself as a Centre of Aboriginal Training Excellence.
Extend and Increase Provincial Training Allowance
I recommend that the Government of Saskatchewan improve the adequacy of the Provincial Training
Allowance to better assist students fnancially during their studies and their transition into post-
secondary education. Both living allowances and, for rural students, transportation costs, should be
increased to cover increasing costs to attend studies. As well, to improve connections to the labour
market for these students, the wage exemption should be increased to $200, and an allowance be
introduced for students transitioning into the labour market.
I also recommend that the Government of Saskatchewan encourage Adult Basic Education graduates to
continue their education by extending their Provincial Training Allowance benefts to students moving
into programs of one year or less in duration at public post-secondary institutions.
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Provide Assistance to Learners on Federal Waiting Lists for Post-Secondary Education
Funding
The Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP) is one of the most important programs intended
to encourage access to post-secondary education for First Nations students. Funded by the Government
of Canada through individual First Nations governments, the PSSSP provides eligible First Nations
students with non-repayable fnancial assistance for tuition fees, books and certain living costs. However,
woeful underfunding of this program has had and continues to have serious repercussions for the
post-secondary education participation of First Nations students in Saskatchewan.
At a time when there is a pressing social and economic imperative to increase the educational and
labour market participation of Aboriginal people, the federal government has not increased funding to
the PSSSP since 1997. During this same period, the Aboriginal population has grown in Canada, and
this population growth is most pronounced in Saskatchewan. As well, education and living costs have
increased over the past 10 years, and many First Nations students in Saskatchewan come from northern
and remote locations and face signifcant transportation and relocation costs to attend post-secondary
education. The result has been a waitlist of approximately 1,000 qualifed First Nations students for
PSSSP funding, and many students who have been fortunate enough to receive PSSSP assistance do not
receive adequate allowances to meet their living costs. Quite simply, the federal government has not met
its obligations to First Nations post-secondary education learners.
While I frmly believe the federal government has an obligation to adequately fund the PSSSP program,
I also believe that our province must ensure First Nations students are not delaying their post-secondary
education unnecessarily because of funding waitlists.
I recommend that the Government of Saskatchewan ensure First Nations students have access to
non-repayable fnancial assistance for their education costs at public post-secondary institutions. Our
government currently offers the Aboriginal Access Bursary, and I recommend that we work with our
Aboriginal and institutional partners to ensure more Aboriginal students are aware of and access this
non-repayable fnancial assistance. To also support this recommendation, I believe it is imperative that
the Government of Saskatchewan continue to press the federal government to provide adequate PSSSP
funding to meet the increased educational costs of our growing First Nations population. The need to
bring our First Nations population into the mainstream far outweighs jurisdictional considerations.
Increase Provincial Student Loan Limits to Respond to Housing Issues
I recommend the Government of Saskatchewan raise the provincial loan limits to $140 per week from
$110 per week. These additional funds will assist those students most in need to cover their housing
and living costs. I also recommend that our government work with the federal government to evaluate
the adequacy of the current assessment of housing costs in Saskatchewan for the federal portion of the
Canada-Saskatchewan Integrated Student Loan Program.
Connect Students to Work
I recommend that the Government of Saskatchewan work with employers and institutions to further
support the development of experiential and workplace-based work-study opportunities for post-
secondary education students.
F|na| 8acommandat|ons of tha Post-sacondary Fducat|on Accass|b|||ty
and Affordab|||ty 8av|aw
The following recommendations include the priority recommendations identifed earlier in my fnal
report. As well, the recommendations from the interim report have been carried forward, consolidated
and included in my fnal recommendations
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Tuition Fees and Quality
1. Maintain the fully-funded university tuition freeze for 2008-09 and, on top of that, fully-fund
a tuition reduction of $1,000 per academic year for undergraduate students at the University of
Saskatchewan and the University of Regina. I also recommend the Government of Saskatchewan,
the universities, and students begin discussions to formalize a tuition framework that will allow
students and their families to plan appropriately while allowing institutions to improve quality.
2. Work with Saskatchewans post-secondary education institutions to develop a framework to measure
the success of our institutions, our students and our graduates.
Provincial Training Allowance
3. Increase Provincial Training Allowance (PTA) funding to better meet the needs of learners and
eliminate disincentives to work while on PTA.
4. Expand PTA assistance for all PTA clients entering public post-secondary education programs of one
year or less in duration. This will eliminate the need to negotiate two separate fnancial assistance
programs and decrease the need to rely on repayable assistance.
Scholarships
5. Develop a scholarship program to leverage private sector contributions to institutions needs-based
and merit-based scholarships. Government would match private donations to institutions
endowment funds for a fve-year period.
Northern Centre of Learning
6. Further access to education in the North through the provision of necessary funds to develop a
Northern Centre of Learning to address capacity issues in the Northern Teacher Education Program
(including program extension to secondary schooling) and the Bachelor of Northern Studies at
Northlands College in La Ronge.
First Generation Learners
7. Develop pilot initiatives with secondary students from schools in low socio-economic status
neighborhoods that provide incentives for students to complete high school and plan for and attend
post-secondary education. Successful students would be eligible to receive full tuition and education
costs for up to two years of post-secondary education.
8. Facilitate partnerships between school divisions, post-secondary institutions and communities to
ensure smoother transitions between high school and post-secondary study.
9. Work with the post-secondary education sector to develop community engagement plans and
specifc goals that will better connect our post-secondary institutions into low socio-economic status
neighbourhoods.
Student Supports Information and Career Development
10. Provide secondary school students with the kinds of education and career-related information and
experiences they need to help them think about their future
11. Develop an informational campaign targeted at adults to support life-long learning, including
information on credit transfer, recognized prior learning and fnancial/non-fnancial supports
available.
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12. Develop information for families to help parents support their childrens decision-making. This
information should outline the range of post-secondary institutions and available fnancial
assistance programs.
13. Provide resources to Canada-Saskatchewan Career and Employment Services to target youth both
in- and out-of-school and off- and on-reserve with culturally-relevant information on comprehensive
career and post-secondary education planning.
14. Improve the literacy and academic preparedness of Saskatchewan learners, including working with
the secondary education system to improve retention and graduation rates.
15. Identify the post-secondary education sector as a priority in the allocation of new childcare and
housing opportunities delivered through the provincial government.
Student Supports Persons with Disabilities
16. Decrease barriers for people with disabilities through the provision of additional funds for our
training institutions to support these students.
17. Create a working group through the Offce of Disability Issues that would include all of the
disability community, institutions, government and the Student Financial Assistance branch of
Advanced Education and Employment to work toward enhanced cooperation and coordination of
services for persons with disabilities.
Student Supports First Nations and Mtis Learners
18. Provide a pool of funds that institutions can draw upon to develop culturally- and socially-relevant
non-fnancial supports with Aboriginal people/communities to better support Aboriginal learners.
19. Support community-developed solutions like the commute to attend programming, which
facilitates access to education in communities by providing transportation for students in
surrounding communities.
20. Work to ensure that the Aboriginal Employment Development Program agreement between
Saskatchewan Learning and the Saskatchewan School Boards Association will increase cultural
competencies required in the critical secondary school years.
21. Work in partnership with Saskatchewans First Nations and Mtis communities to convene a
conference within the year to identify best practices in Aboriginal learner engagement.
Credit Transfer/Recognition of Prior Learning
22. Accelerate a culture of transfer, integration and seamlessness in post-secondary education by
increasing the number and breadth of transfer agreements, the ability of SaskCAT to facilitate
those agreements, and the creation/delivery of additional on-line/distance programming to support
access.
23. Work with the sector to enhance the recognition of prior learning, in recognition that many learners
come into a post-secondary institution with valuable skills, background experience and education
that may assist them in their studies.
24. Work to better facilitate the recognition of foreign credentials for newcomers to the province.
Distance Learning
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25. Provide resources to expand the range and scope of courses available through regional colleges,
brokering with other institutions, creating additional seats within colleges and expanding
distance/on-line education to allow rural and remote students to access a greater proportion of the
programming that they need in their communities.
26. Work in partnership to renew the mandate of Campus Saskatchewan to expand and use technology
enhanced learning to better meet the needs of Saskatchewan learners.
27. Expand the array of programming that is made available through the mobile training labs.
Centre of Aboriginal Training Excellence
28. Provide increased support to the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies to further support
provincial training priorities and allow the institution to establish itself as a Centre of Aboriginal
Training Excellence.
Connect Students to Work
29. Work with employers and institutions to further support the development of experiential and
workplace-based workstudy opportunities for post-secondary education students.
30. Support adult newcomers in transitioning into the workforce through experiential learning
opportunities.
31. Support the continuation of the Graduate Tax Exemption as an incentive to encourage graduates
from Saskatchewan and beyond to reside and connect with the career opportunities in the province.
Provide Assistance to Learners on Federal Waiting Lists for Post-Secondary Education Funding
32. Ensure First Nations students have access to non-repayable fnancial assistance for their education
costs. Our government currently offers the Aboriginal Access Bursary, and I recommend that we
work with our Aboriginal and institutional partners to ensure more Aboriginal students are aware of
and access this non-repayable fnancial assistance.
33. Work with First Nations to lobby the federal government to fulfll its obligations to First Nations
people by increasing fnancial support for post-secondary education through the Post-Secondary
Student Support Program.
Student Loans Increase Loan Limits / Simplifcation
34. Simplify the processes for applying for a loan, issuing fnancial assistance, repaying debt and
communicating between borrowers and student loan offcials.
35. Work with the federal government in their review of the Canada Student Loans Program and
the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation to ensure students in Saskatchewan receive
the assistance they need to access post-secondary education. This discussion must include needs
assessment criteria, housing issues, transportation issues, issues of debt management and the
appropriate balance between grants and loans.
36. Work with the federal government to remove program disincentives for part-time and life-long
learners to better enable them to access student fnancial assistance (i.e., deferring payments and
interest).
37. Examine the relocation cost allowance in student loans and investigate the provision of an up-front
moving grant to off-set some of these costs.
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38. Eliminate the vehicle assessment criteria under the Canada-Saskatchewan Integrated Student Loan
Program, and simplify the pre- and during-study contributions.
39. Bring spousal contributions in-line with those of parents and families to ensure ongoing
participation of students with spouses, particularly as life-long learning becomes even more
important.
40. Increase the level of employment income a student borrower is allowed to earn before loan amounts
are decreased.
41. Examine the Canada-Saskatchewan Integrated Student Loan Program Agreement to ensure
simplifcation issues are addressed.
42. Extend additional loan funding for Medical students in higher cost programs and investigate
expanding the program to include other students in high cost/high return programs.
43. Reduce the interest rate charged on provincial loan balances to more closely align with
governments borrowing costs.
44. Increase the provincial portion of student loans assistance to ensure that more students have access
to greater resources to support their studies including meeting rising housing costs.
45. Match the federal governments Canada Study Grant for Students from Low-Income Families in
order to provide a grant to cover low-income students tuition fees.
Research and Innovation
46. Develop an analysis of research and innovation expenditures in Saskatchewan and identify
additional resource needs to facilitate commercialization of research and better link research to
industry.
47. Work with the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina to increase graduate student
enrolments.
International Education Strategy
48. Work with Saskatchewan post-secondary institutions to further develop an international education
strategy policy framework that is aimed at increasing enrolment and diversity in Saskatchewan
institutions.
Expand Capacity
49. Expand capacity in the regional college and training system to better meets the needs of learners
and the economy.
50. Meet and exceed the 30 per cent increase in participation in training opportunities at SIAST,
the Regional Colleges, Gabriel Dumont Institute, Dumont Technical Institute, the Saskatchewan
Indian Institute of Technologies and the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certifcation
Commission as identifed in the Final Report of the 2005 Training System Review Panel. In
addition, bring on suffcient opportunities to enable the elimination of waitlists for Adult Basic
Education.
51. Expand Saskatchewans Teacher Education Programs Northern Teacher Education Program
(NORTEP) and Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program (SUNTEP) to fully include
secondary education.