General Social Survey - Social Identity (SI)

Educational attainment of person, category

Educational attainment refers to the highest level of education that a person has successfully completed. Successful completion of a level of education refers to the achievement of the learning objectives of that level, typically validated through the assessment of acquired knowledge, skills and competencies.

At the primary and high school level, educational attainment refers to the highest grade completed or whether or not the person has obtained a high school (secondary school) diploma or equivalency certificate. At the postsecondary level, it refers to postsecondary certificates, diplomas or degrees awarded by accredited educational institutions. It also includes educational certificates or diplomas awarded to the person by provincial/territorial or federal authorities, such as a Journeyperson's designation in the trades. Educational attainment can also include the partial completion of a postsecondary qualification.

Person refers to an individual and is the unit of analysis for most social statistics programs.

The data for this variable are reported using the following classifications and/or lists:

• Highest certificate, diploma or degree