What is Compass?
The University of Adelaide has a long history of promoting access to higher education for low-SES and other traditionally disadvantaged students and has recently increased their efforts in these areas, partly in response to new Commonwealth targets for participation in and access to higher education, and partly in acknowledgement of the University of Adelaide's strategic plan directives in reference to students from the northern suburbs.
Adelaide Compass is based on the successful Compass- find your way to higher education program run by the University of Sydney since 2009. This program will be adapted and modified to reflect the University of Adelaide and the schools involved whilst maintaining the original's principles and general practices.
The key goal of the program is to build attainment and aspiration within selected school communities, showing students that university study is possible, practical and achievable for them. Many of the students involved do not have close friends or family members pursuing higher education and consequently do not view it as a realistic pathway, with practical benefits for them. By increasing familiarity with university campuses, staff and students through visits to the University and hosting university staff and students at local schools, perceptions about the relevance and accessibility of university study can change.
A range of methods are used to engage students, tailored to the specific needs of the school and community, and including activities such as cultural and/or learning activities at the University, University experience days, programs and activities at primary and secondary schools supported by University students and staff and homework/ study groups supported by University students.
Evaluation of the Compass Program in Sydney has evidenced that the clear linking of curriculum to the activities undertaken is the most effective way to ensure students gain maximum benefit. To this end, all Adelaide Compass activities will be embedded within the school curriculum as a result of effective planning and consultation with the schools concerned.
Students will benefit from Adelaide Compass by gaining a better understanding of the university environment, of pathways to further education and of the relevance and appeal of further study. Increased involvement with and exposure to the culture and environment of the University will also help to demystify the experience of further study for parents and carers, enabling them to more effectively support and encourage their children right through their education. It is also anticipated that there will be positive benefits for those students not directly involved in outreach, through the promotion of a school-wide culture of engagement and recognition of the relevance and possibilities available through study.
