Evaluation Toolkit launched to strengthen widening participation in higher education

A significant development to reshape the landscape of widening participation in higher education has been announced with the publication of the Toolkit for Access and Participation Evaluation (TAPE). Developed by the Dr Matt Horton, Evaluation Manager at the University of Wolverhampton, and featured in the Educational Review journal, this validated toolkit directly tackles a long-standing challenge in Access and Participation Plan (APP) work: the absence of consistent and rigorously tested tools to measure the impact of outreach initiatives on young people's views about higher education.

"For too long, the sector has lacked a robust and validated way to truly understand the impact of our widening participation efforts," said Dr Matt Horton. "TAPE provides that crucial evidence base, empowering universities to move beyond assumptions and implement interventions that are demonstrably effective in supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds to access and succeed in higher education."

TAPE represents a major advancement. It's the first toolkit of its kind to possess predictive validity. Imagine being able to look at a student's responses and gain a genuine insight into their future likelihood of applying to university. This remarkable capability empowers institutions to pinpoint the students who need support the most, and crucially, to tailor their interventions with laser-like precision for maximum effectiveness.

The sector is already shown a strong interest. In a clear demonstration of its significance, over 100 universities and third-sector organisations have already requested access to TAPE, eager refine their Access and Participation Plans (APPs) and meet the rigorous evaluation standards set by the Office for Students (OfS).

TAPE isn't just another survey; it's a strategic resource for fairer access to higher education, offering:

• The power of prediction: For the first time, institutions can forecast future HE engagement based on pupil responses.
• Standardisation: A consistent and validated approach ensures meaningful comparisons and robust analysis of outreach impact.
• Precision targeting: Universities can now identify specific student needs earlier, leading to more effective and impactful support.
• Evidence-driven action: TAPE facilitates a crucial shift from simply hoping for the best to understanding and implementing "what truly works."
• Meeting the mark: The toolkit directly supports institutions in fulfilling the OfS's demands for rigorous evaluation of widening participation efforts.

With TAPE now available, the higher education sector stands on new era in widening participation – one driven by evidence, precision, and a far greater understanding of how to truly make a difference in the lives of aspiring students from all backgrounds.

Note

A summary of TAPE findings and practical implications can be found at: Post | Feed | LinkedIn