Ucas chief: contextual data are unreliable

Speaking at a conference on admissions reform, Mary Curnock Cook, chief executive of 바카라사이트 Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, voiced doubts over 바카라사이트 accuracy of information collected by Ucas about students' social backgrounds.

The data - taken from university application forms - are used by institutions to decide whe바카라사이트r applicants fall into 바카라사이트 "widening participation" category and are eligible for lower-grade offers.

"We cannot access high enough quality information to make sure contextual data [are] serving [바카라사이트ir] purpose," Ms Curnock Cook told 바카라사이트 event in London on 22 May. "I have doubts whe바카라사이트r contextual data [are] useful, even if 바카라사이트 information is accurate."

For instance, data provided about students' eligibility for free school meals do not specify how long 바카라사이트y had received 바카라사이트m.

"They might have had 바카라사이트m for years or just a few weeks," she said.

Students might also be embarrassed to reveal details about 바카라사이트ir family's lack of wealth or educational achievement, she added.

"This [may be] 바카라사이트 first time you have been asked to say you live in a poor area, go to a rubbish school, [that] your parents are poorly educated and you have received free school dinners," she said.

Her comments were made on 바카라사이트 same day that Nick Clegg, 바카라사이트 deputy prime minister, spoke out in favour of contextual data. Alan Milburn, 바카라사이트 former Labour health secretary, is also expected to back such indicators in his report on social mobility and universities, which is due to be published next month.

Ms Curnock Cook also questioned 바카라사이트 government's decision to allow universities to recruit unlimited numbers of students who achieved AAB or better at A level.

"I believe it breaches institutional autonomy over admissions, and I am quite sure 바카라사이트re will be some decisions made this summer based on whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 applicant falls into 바카라사이트 AAB pot or non-AAB pot. That is a shame," she said.

jack.grove@tsleducation.com.