Adult learners have unique educational needs that require attention from Higher Education Institutions, facilitators and industry. While several theories and policies have been developed to address the bourgeoning educational challenges confronting adult learners in Higher Education Institutions, not much has been achieved in the wake of growing…

Innovation in doctoral degree program development and delivery provides an effective counterpoint to the expert-apprentice model established in the Middle Ages. The author outlines the importance of innovation in reaching adult learners and describes an innovative hybrid PhD program designed to allow aspiring doctoral adult-age students to pursue…

This paper considers noncredit instruction in the California Community College System. It identifies three related concepts: a state need for increased levels of education that noncredit instruction is well placed to supply, several changes that begin to facilitate that response, and additional changes that are needed to ensure success. The…

The factors and motivations contributing to the presence of increasing numbers of mature women in college are examined, and seven proposals are offered, representing an attempt to develop a total community college program which will meet the needs of mature women students. (NHM)

Adult basic education programs in the United States are reviewed in terms of educational legislation, need, program development, adult students, curriculum development, teaching approach, and program results. (LH)

As care in the community has been legislated in Great Britain for people with special needs, concerns in planning educational programs include evaluating the quality, accessibility, and validity of services; creating a policy statement and development plan; mapping needs; and auditing services. (SK)

Community colleges can offer exciting and satisfying programs for drop-outs, stop-outs, and shoved-outs - if they adapt their traditional procedures creatively. (Editor)

The performance of a needs assessment is an important step in developing adult student services. Presents evidence supporting the importance of a needs assessment and examples of needs identified in the past. Discusses a three-step approach to performing a needs assessment and drawbacks associated with the process. (EM)

Describes the Instructional Telecommunications Consortium's 1991 "Symposium on Telecommunications and the Adult Learner," reviewing reasons the symposium focused on telecourses, and discussing five major imperatives for the continuing expansion of telecourses: thinking strategically, identifying learning needs, redefining telecourses, raising the…

Recent trends in institutional accommodation of adult students in postsecondary education are discussed, and five key issues are identified: integration, transition, developmental research, leadership and faculty redirection, and fair pricing of programs. It is argued that a commitment to serving learners of all ages gives institutions a new sense…

Studies show Hispanics to have substantially higher rates of illiteracy than any other major population group in the United States. Illiteracy is one of a number of language problems for this population; other problems include limited oral English proficiency and native language illiteracy. Hispanics drop out of school in higher numbers and leave…

In recent years the American higher education enterprise has made a dramatic effort to attract the adult student. This effort has largely been based on economic necessity, since the numbers of traditionally aged college students (18-22) have fallen. Extension and continuing education for adult students is not completely new to higher education,…

Reports on a five-year study of more than 19,000 adult students or potential students from 35 states conducted to determine the respondents' demographic characteristics, educational plans and preferences, and learning and developmental needs. (DMM)

Cooperative planning, based upon a decade of reentry programs for adults, culminated in the establishment of a public service known as the Adult Resource Center at the University of Akron (Ohio). Located in a renovated building between the campus and the downtown community, the Adult Resource Center serves as a liaison with social service…

A project surveyed adult vocational teachers in Pennsylvania to determine their demographic characteristics and their perceived inservice needs and to design and conduct activities to address those needs. The survey instrument, after field testing and revision, contained ninety-five items subdivided into three parts: demographic data, data on…