Recognize student parents as a distinct population rather than subsuming them within mature or non-traditional learners¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The article argues that student parents should be identified as a unique population in post-secondary institutions and research. The authors note that "student parents are not identified as a unique population among post-secondary students. Instead, they are typically subsumed within the larger population of mature or non-traditional learners," despite student parents accounting for "13% of post-secondary students in Canada." Given their "unique circumstances and challenges faced by student parents, even when compared to the broader adult learner population," the authors argue examination of their experiences is vital to understanding success in both student and parent roles.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Institutional and research practices that collect parental status information to identify this subpopulation

Constraints¶

• The lack of a sampling frame due to non-collection of parental status information at the institutional level limited the current study's sampling approach

Target Learners¶

• student parents with dependent children under 18

Target Learning Goals¶

• understanding and supporting success across student and parental roles

Related Strategies¶

• Institutional support for skill upgrading and post-secondary navigation to bolster student parents' academic self-efficacy

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Tricia M. van Rhijn & Donna S. Lero. (2014). The influence of self-efficacy beliefs for student parents attending university. International Journal of Lifelong Education. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02601370.2014.884178