Increasing the participation of rural Canadians in post-secondary education

This study examines the rural-urban post-secondary education participation gap in Canada. Using data collected in the Access and Support for Education and Training Survey (ASETS) released in 2009, this research investigates the barriers to post-secondary education faced by rural students, and whether these barriers differ from those experienced by other Canadians. A literature review, crosstab analysis, and logistic regression are used to help assess four policy alternatives and the status quo. To increase rural participation in post-secondary education, this study recommends the creation of an early intervening, outreach counselling program for rural high school students.