RPI has been engaged to develop an evaluation framework/plan for the Nova Scotia Post-Secondary Accessibility Framework. The framework outlines a vision, principles, goals and commitments for accessibility in post-secondary education, focusing on the following areas: awareness and capacity building, teaching, learning and research, information and communication, goods and services, employment, transportation, the built environment, and monitoring and evaluation.
The 11 participating post-secondary institutions in Nova Scotia are Acadia University, Atlantic School of Theology, Cape Breton University, Dalhousie University, Mount Saint Vincent University, Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Nova Scotia Community College, Saint Mary’s University, St. Francis Xavier University, Université Sainte-Anne, University of King’s College.
One of the framework’s key goals is “Nova Scotia’s post-secondary institutions regularly monitor and evaluate progress to remove barriers to accessibility, and the impact on students and employees, and continue to identify opportunities to improve access to education” and within this, a key commitments is to “develop a common monitoring tool and evaluation framework to regularly assess and report on progress toward meeting the commitments outlined in this framework, and their impact on accessibility in the post-secondary sector.”
RPI is working with representatives from the post-secondary institutions to develop this common monitoring tool and evaluation framework. The work will take place throughout 2021 and 2022 and includes:
- Developing a Theory of Change for the Accessibility Framework.
- Identifying key evaluation questions to guide the evaluation process.
- Developing a monitoring and evaluation matrix that outlines performance indicators and data collection methods/data sources.
- Creating a feasible and realistic M&E Implementation Plan for the evaluation work.
- Developing data collection and reporting tools/templates that can be used by institutions to support monitoring and evaluation activities.
More information about the Nova Scotia Post-Secondary Accessibility Framework
