Archived – Revision of the Classification of Instructional Programs

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November 10, 2007

The Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) is currently being revised. The revised CIP will be introduced for Census 2011.

At this time, Statistics Canada is soliciting input from data producers and data users to ensure their needs continue to be met by the CIP . Proposals for changes to the CIP for 2011 should be submitted to standards-normes@statcan.gc.ca. A CIP Revision Consultation Guide has been produced to help you provide input.

Input is requested by January 15, 2008 but will be accepted until September 15, 2008. Decisions on proposed revisions will be made throughout 2008. To enable us to fully consider your suggestions in time for inclusion in this revision, please send them early in the consultation period. You may send more than one submission, if that enables you to comment earlier.

Consultation Guide

Please consider the following questions when preparing your input to the consultation on the revision of the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP). Submissions do not need to cover all the topics. Comments can be submitted on your particular area(s) of concern only.

Note: The CIP may be viewed at:

Archived Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Canada 2000 Archived

Questions related to specific programs (categories in CIP that have a 6-digit code)

Are there programs for which you cannot find a satisfactory code? For each program you list, please identify one or more institutions where it is offered.

Are there programs currently being coded to a .9999 category that you would prefer to see in a more specific category? Why? (Perhaps you feel there are adequate numbers to justify identifying it specifically. Perhaps it is of some analytical significance.) For each program you list, please identify one or more institutions where it is offered.

Are there categories you find difficult to use because the descriptions are vague or unclear?

Are there pairs of categories you find difficult to distinguish from each other? Are there boundaries that could be clarified?

We would also like to understand better how the 6-digit level of the CIP is used.

  • Please summarize briefly how you or others in your institution/department use the CIP 6-digit level.
  • Are 6-digit CIP codes used in any administrative processes?
  • Is any comparison made between Canadian data and CIP -based data from the United States?

Questions related to higher levels of aggregation in the CIP

The specific program codes in the CIP are organized in subseries that are identified with 4-digit codes ( e.g. , 16.17).

  • Do you use codes at this level of aggregation?
  • If so, how do you use them? For what purpose?
  • Are there changes you would like to see in any of the groups at this level of aggregation? Please be as specific as possible in your comments, identifying the changes you would like to see and why.

Subseries are organized in series that are identified with 2-digit codes ( e.g. , 16).

  • Do you use codes at this level of aggregation?
  • If so, how do you use them? For what purpose?
  • Are there changes you would like to see in any of the groups at this level of aggregation? Please be as specific as possible in your comments, identifying the changes you would like to see and why.

Questions related to the use of CIP to code courses

Though designed as a classification of programs of study, the CIP has also been used to code specific courses. For example, it has been used to code courses taken by adults as part of their lifelong learning. Statistics Canada would like to understand better the analytic uses of data about courses so that we may consider the best way to address these specific needs.

If you use information on courses,

  • Are the learners adults?
  • What is your objective or analytical purpose when using this information?
  • More specifically,
    • What do you want to know about the content of the course? For example, do you want to know the specific subject (such as, leadership, management, computer-related, safety training, CPR, literacy) or something more general ( e.g. , generic skill development or specific professional development). What categories would help you explore the questions or issues that concern you?
    • Some courses relate to specific occupations whose training programs are coded in CIP . For example, the Smart Serve course is for bartenders. Would you like to see such courses coded with training for that occupation? ( i.e. , Smart Serve would be coded to CIP 12.0502 along with bartender training programs.) If people preparing to enter an occupation were coded to the same group as people already in the occupation who are engaging in professional development, would that support or hinder your analyses?
    • Some courses have the same name as an academic program in CIP , such as computer technology. When adults report such courses, they could be taking a single course; they could be enrolled in the program; or, they could be enrolled in another program toward which that course credit could be applied. Would you like to see such courses coded to the closest CIP code? If not, what categories would enable you to do the type of analysis you want to do?
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