Explaining policy failure: the case of equity policy: Observations of Australian Government policy 1989-99 designed to increase the participation of people of low socio-economic status backgrounds in higher education.

Abstract

Ten years ago the Australian Government developed a strategy that has been described as 'unique in providing a national commitment to, and framework for, equity, which has itself been the stimulus for action in all institutions' (NBEET 1996: 11). One of the policy's objectives was to increase the representation of people from low socio economic (SES) backgrounds in higher education. Statistical data suggests that has not been achieved. Yet despite this evidence and changes of government the 1989 framework survives intact today. This report explores the development and of the policy framework, some of the current explanations of the policy's failure and asks if it is time to look afresh at equity in higher education.