ACAT's Research Plan
ACAT’s foundational research plan is focused on working with its partners to address research gaps in admissions and transfer, including:
- Amount and type of transfer credit awarded
- Admission pathways and challenges
- Recognition of prior learning
- Dual credit programming
- Interprovincial mobility
Alberta has an effective learner pathways system that serves large numbers of students. This research plan was developed to help ACAT better understand just how effective the current system is, and provide the evidence to move the system from good to great.
Given the current context of ACAT awaiting next steps from the findings of the Alberta 2030: Building Skills for Jobs review of post-secondary education, actions regarding ACAT's research and data plans have been updated and led by the work of the ACAT Secretariat in Advanced Education in collaboration with institutions and other stakeholders.
Learner Pathways Modernization Initiative
We’ve also completed research about modernizing Alberta’s transfer system so that post-secondary providers and students are able to find the admission and transfer information they need, when and how they need it.
In 2014-15, led by the ACAT Secretariat in collaboration with institutions, students, government, organizations, and stakeholders, ACAT completed a business assessment as part of a multi-phase initiative to transform how we support and encourage student mobility throughout the province. A series of discussions helped us identify business needs, problems and requirements for modernizing learner pathways in Alberta. Read the report. Additional information was also gathered with institutions, students, government, organizations, and other stakeholders to update and confirm these findings in 2019/20.
ACAT Research Subcommittee
A research committee was established by ACAT to monitor and evaluate the success of transfer credit students in Alberta. Facilitated by the ACAT Secretariat, the group will address critical data gaps to inform evidence-based decision making about student mobility.
ACAT Articulation Committees
Articulation Committees may conduct research relating to their area of expertise, working together to identify new learner pathway opportunities, or refine current systems within and between participating institutions. You can follow their activities by visiting their committee pages.
