Counting the cost of second-chance education: Evaluating the outcomes and costs of university-based enabling programs

Second-chance education in Australia is dominated by university-based Enabling Programs facilitating an alternative pathway to undergraduate study; however there has been little systematic evaluation of the effectiveness of these programs. Examining archival data at a regional university from 2001 to 2011, the rate of completions and articulations into undergraduate study was established. After 2006, increases in enrolments in Enabling Programs were offset by declines in completions and articulations, resulting in average costs of successful outcomes increasing. From 2005 onwards universities received additional government funding for offering Enabling Programs and, while an increase in enrolments indicated greater equity of access, a decrease in successful outcomes signalled a reduction in efficiency.