A discussion of distance education outlines its development, identifies its characteristics, and analyzes three existing program types and the needs they serve. The Irish National Distance Education Centre, which uses a cooperative approach with several institutions, is presented in greater detail. (MSE)

Following a review of the literature on mature female students, this paper examines enrollment trends in a selection of colleges in Alberta (Canada) and presents the findings of a survey of returning women students at Red Deer College. The literature review highlights factors related to the personal and professional development of women graduates…

A survey of 185 single and married mothers enrolled at MacQuarie University and Macarthur Institute of Higher Education (Australia) investigated which mothers turn to college study, reasons for college entry, timing of entry, enrollment patterns, and academic achievement. This group was found to be exceptionally successful. Policy implications are…

This resource handbook was designed to assist constituent school district personnel with the critical issues of student absenteeism and dropouts. From July 1982 through February 1983 and in May 1986, members of the Oakland County (Michigan) Attendance/Dropout Task Force met with educational and community agency personnel, graduating high school…

This book identifies features of best practice in women's education and training (WET) in Britain, as revealed in a nationwide search that led to the first National Institute of Adult Continuing Education Award for Good Practice in WET. Chapter 1 describes the process for selecting six awardees. Chapter 2 isolates key issues and themes that gave…

Public schools in Manitoba (Canada) are encountering an increasing number of students who are considered to be educationally at risk. This paper addresses the provision of effective services relating to at-risk youth and the prevention of early school dropouts. The paper's first section covers the circumstances and conditions associated with early…

This guide is designed for those teaching return-to-study courses for adults. It is divided into two parts. A course guide begins by explaining why past approaches for equipping students for academic success are unhelpful. The approach used in this guide is described by drawing on cognitive psychology, especially about short- and long-term memory,…

This document is intended for further education colleges in the United Kingdom wishing to extend their General National Vocational Qualification (GNVQ) provision to adults, extend their adult students' options for accreditation, or review the suitability of different qualification routes for adults. It presents information about the development of…

This document explains how tutors and managers in adult education programs across the United Kingdom can smooth the journeys of adults with mental health difficulties who are returning to learning. The handbook begins with suggestions for its use and case studies of two adult learners with mental health difficulties. Sections 1 through 4 discuss…

This book about widening educational participation draws on an ethnographic study of 23 students returning to learning through access courses provided at their local further education college in suburban England. Chapter 1 explains how certain poststructural concepts (discourse, hegemony, deconstruction, and subjectivity) are used as analytical…

This book, which is intended for academics, educators, educational managers, and policymakers concerned with higher education, examines how universities and colleges can prepare their students for lifelong learning through continuing education, specialized courses for adults, and mainstream teaching programs geared toward traditional students. The…