As the movement to tap and grow the talents of working adults continues to gain momentum, CAEL continues its thought leadership by spearheading a research partnership with Stanford Pathways Network (pathways.stanford.edu) and Strada Education Foundation. In this joint initiative, "Designing Opportunity for Working Adult Learners," the…

Aims: This transformative and participatory study aimed to identify the views of returners to education on the processes leading to educational resilience which contributed to their successful return to education. Method: Twenty students (19-25 years) from two social mobility 'cold spots' in the East of England acted as co-researchers. The…

At least 36 million adults in the United States have earned some postsecondary education credit without obtaining a credential. Research suggests these adults, are often referred to as those with some college, but no degree, are well worth the investments needed to help them return and complete their education. Adults in this population frequently…

Postsecondary attainment is widely recognized as key to accessing living-wage careers--in addition to fulfilling workforce demands and elevating the United States' standing on the world stage. While much of the work to increase attainment rates has recognized the role of reengaging adults who have some college credit, but no degree or certificate,…

More than one million North Carolina residents began but did not complete their postsecondary education, including some 643,000 early- and mid-career adults. More than 50,000 adults have left the University of North Carolina (UNC) System in good academic standing with 60 or more credits but no credential. In 2016, the North Carolina General…

The increasing need for highly-skilled employees in the workplace has policymakers and higher education leaders focused on innovative ways for students to access postsecondary education. These access points can include online programs, prior learning assessments and, the subject of this snapshot, competency-based education. The National Center for…

This dissertation examines the relationship between community colleges and prisons as similar institutions that absorb and manage displaced workers, economic refugees, and dispossessed adult populations. Based on interviews with adult learners in two community college settings, I discuss how these two seemingly distinctive institutions work…

The Washington Student Achievement Council is charged with setting educational attainment goals to meet the needs of Washington's residents and its workforce. The Council is also charged with developing a ten-year Roadmap to identify key strategies for meeting those goals. In 2013, the Council created the first Ten-year Roadmap, including two…

With support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS) is engaged in a two year project centered on state policies that foster student progression and success in the "adult re-entry pipeline." The adult re-entry pipeline consists of the many alternative pathways to…

High school students with disabilities who drop out are costly to society. Compared to those who graduate, they are more likely to be unemployed, dependent on public services, and involved in the criminal justice system. Consequently, helping students with disabilities graduate has become a prominent national concern. Students with disabilities…

Describes a study which examined attitudes and perceptions of adult students regarding their experiences at Eastern Illinois University. Results indicated that adult students desired (1) more information about university programs and services, and (2) a place for commuters to stay overnight when road conditions were hazardous. (CT)

A study examined the barriers encountered by returning adult students and the potential change of those barriers over time. The 43 students constituting the survey population were enrolled in the graduate programs of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Students had to be…

A series of case studies was made of seven selected communities to examine community-level organizations developed to meet the needs of adult students in mid-career transition. (SK)

To remain productive, workers require retraining and further education. Educational institutions must change from preparation to continuation and from youth orientation to age-less education. (SK)

The age range of students in British further education colleges has always been wide, but there is little research evidence on the effects of age mixing on educational outcomes. Although potential benefits and disadvantages can be identified, data on the different learning styles, needs, and expectations of recent high school completers and…