Research summary – Indigenous students’ access to post-secondary education
Official title of the full report: Indigenous students' access to post-secondary education in British Columbia: evidence from BC PEN linked data
Author of the full report: Social Research and Demonstration Corporation
Alternate formats
Indigenous students’ access to post-secondary education [PDF - 229 KB]
Large print, braille, MP3 (audio), e-text and DAISY formats are available on demand by ordering online or calling 1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232). If you use a teletypewriter (TTY), call 1-800-926-9105.
Why this study
More Indigenous students across Canada are now going to post-secondary education (PSE), but there are still more non-Indigenous students in PSE. This research looked at what might impact Indigenous students in British Columbia (BC) from going to PSE after high school.
What we did
This research looked at Indigenous students in BC born between 1987 and 1995 who attended elementary and high school. It examined the relationship between access to PSE, and a variety of variables to determine which ones had an impact on Indigenous students' PSE attendance. The variables examined were:
- gender
- age
- family income
- high school programs (English as a Second Language, Special Education Needs, and French Immersion) and the type of school (standard, alternative school, and distance education) they attended
- math skills
- PSE enrolment and level of study (apprenticeship, trades, college, university)
- whether students lived on or off reserve
- the number of Indigenous students in the school district, and
- participation in Indigenous-focused programs
What we found
- Indigenous women were more likely to go to PSE than men
- Students with higher family earnings were more likely to go to PSE
- Those enrolled in French Immersion were more likely to go to PSE
- Students who went to an alternative school or distance education programs were less likely to go to PSE
- Those with higher math skills were more likely to go to PSE
- Students living on a First Nation reserve were more likely to go to PSE than First Nation students living off-reserve
What it means
Removing gaps in education between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students is one of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's 94 Calls to Action. Findings from this study will help the federal government's programs improve access to PSE for Indigenous students.
Contact us
Learning Branch, Learning Policy & Services Directorate, Planning, Policy, and Partnerships Division
Email: esdc.nc.sspb.research-recherche.dgpss.cn.edsc@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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