The Grattan Institute has spoken up for the ATAR, pointing to its utility as a predictor of student performance and as an early-warning indicator of problems in admissions.

Andrew Norton and Ittima Cherastidtham make their case in a submission to the federal government’s review of the higher education data collection ( CMM January 25) system.

They call for collection of ATAR scores for all university applicants who have them, regardless of whether they are admitted to university on some other basis.  The ATAR “provides a useful insight into students’ likely performance at university,” “irrespective of basis of admission,” they argue. The also propose a broader market intelligence role for the rank; suggesting quality regulator TEQSA could use ATAR data to assess whether, “whether higher education providers are complying with the admissions standards” and to monitor applications, offers and enrolments, “especially for any unusual patterns and risks to the higher education system.”

Their support for the ATAR follows the Mitchell Institute’s recent report on its failings and suggestions of alternative entry schemes (CMM March 21).

Norton and Cherastidtham also propose extending the VET system’s Unique Student Identifier to higher education. This “would improve the government’s and the sector’s ability to accurately identify and track students irrespective of their education level or citizenship status.”