The merger of an innovative private college (New College of Sarasota) into a state institution is described. The instruction contract, innovative approach, and academic quality has been maintained, but the number of students in off-campus programs has declined. Reasons for the decline are discussed. (Author/LBH)

Suggests alternatives to traditional methods of "dispensing" higher education to lifelong learners, focusing on changing teacher responsibilities, older college students, crediting experiential learning, extending services to private and public agencies, and learning contracts. Cites two examples of using contract learning. (JM)

The New York Regents External Degree Nursing Program, a competency-based degree alternative for experienced adult learners, is examined. In this program, Regents College acts in partnership with colleges and universities, service institutions, and other educational institutions. The program's three-way strategy of cooperation is discussed, along…

These two presentations discuss the National External Diploma Program (EDP) sponsored by the American Council on Education and its relationship to the Department of Labor's Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) report and to the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS). The first presentation focuses on the…

The National External Degree Program (EDP) of the American Council on Education is an alternative way for adults to earn a high school diploma. EDP is a competency-based, high school level assessment system that credentials mature adults who have acquired their high school level skills through their life experience. It uses materials adults have…

Within broad guidelines provided by the Community College of Vermont (CCV), associate degree students write their own individualized, competence-based contracts. Development of the contract includes both assessment of prior learning, and planning for sponsored learning: These are integrated through a "degree development sequence" which includes a…

These nine articles reflect the diversity of activities taking place in adult education and adult literacy in the Boston area. An introduction briefly describes each article; notes on the authors follow. In "A Different Third 'R'--Radical Math," Marilyn Frankenstein describes a mathematics course that, through content and method, both…

In 1967 the University of Cincinnati initiated one of the first graduate programs in health planning to provide qualified professionals to staff health planning agencies. In 1974 the university began to develop an external degree program to meet the needs of employed health personnel. The program incorporates individualized, self-paced,…

Presented is a compendium of information about nontraditional higher education in New England, and in certain other places for purposes of comparison. Overviews of each program are presented, as are comparisons along various dimensions of operation, such as admissions requirements, assessment of prior learning, accreditation, opening data, core…