Student dropout is a frequent phenomenon in higher education institutions that entails high costs for individuals, institutions, and society as a whole. Thus, it is crucial to identify protective factors regarding dropout in cases in which it could have been prevented. In line with Person-Environment Fit Theory, we assume that intrinsic motivation…

This descriptive-correlational study examined the personal factors that may affect the self-determination of 110 freshmen who have elected to enroll in an urban agriculture program. The personal factors, termed the motivational profile, consisted of influences in the decision to enroll in the program, the student's type of motivation to attend the…

For beginning students in Scottish further education colleges (n=701), printed material was the most important preenrollment communication method. Support for attendance in the form of child care and financial aid was crucial. Location, local reputation, and the development of social relationships were also important motivational factors. (SK)

On-campus and distance adult learners (n=20) related the experience of their enrollment decisions, uncovering six themes: fears, motivation, family support, academic preparedness, suitability of programs, and identity change. Motivation was the key to persistence. Preentry information, guidance, and preparation for prospective adult open and…

A phenomenological study examined the meaning 11 women attributed to life and work experiences that influenced their choice of nontraditional majors. Most returned to school because of triggering events, were interested in their chosen field and opportunities for career development, and desired independence. (Contains 29 references.) (SK)

A study of 66 British participants at the beginning of and 2 years into labor education revealed that 80% had left school at age 16 and had negative schooling experiences. However, continual engagement in union activities and education, opportunities to see connections between work and learning activities, and the mutual reinforcement of these…

Adult educators are becoming increasingly aware of the fact that adult learners, not institutions, initiate the process of adult education and that they determine the ends to be accomplished by their participation. Researchers have shown that the decision to participate in adult education comes about as a result of a variety of social and…

The applicability of benefit segmentation, a market research technique which groups people according to benefits expected from a program offering, was tested at the College of DuPage. Preferences and demographic characteristics were analyzed and program improvements adopted, increasing enrollment by 20 percent. (Author/SK)

Personal characteristics of adult undergraduates who are 36 years old and older were studied. A sample of 24 adult students from a state-supported, urban university were interviewed/taped, and audio recordings were reviewed for descriptions of sociodemographic and psychosocial characteristics. The dominant student profile was of a 44-year-old…

A study examined the Adult Diploma Program (ADP), a project of the Minnesota High School Graduation Incentives Program, which gives 2 years of state aid to qualified learners to complete their requirements. Its purpose was to explore how persons enrolled in ADP find out about it, factors that led to making the decision to enroll in ADP, daily…

The educational motivation of 200 adult undergraduate college women from four academic groups were examined, using the Educational Participation Scale (Boshier, 1971). The sample ranged in age from 30 to 55 years old, with a median age of 39. Their academic areas of study were business and public administration, health services, liberal arts and…

To determine whether adults who were grouped according to selected variables differed in their reasons for participating in education programs, the Educational Participation Scale was administered to 322 part-time adult students. Focus was on age, sex, institution, level of educational attainment, and occupational groupings. The responses were…

A study identified characteristics and motivating factors that influenced licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to participate in a registered nursing (RN) upgrading program at a hospital in western Canada. A literature review considered the concepts of motivation, participation, adult learning, and life transitions and explored a variety of models and…

A study was conducted in Spokane, Washington, to determine motivational factors and preferred conditions that would encourage adults to participate in learning activities. Interviews were conducted with 600 randomly selected households (89 percent success rate) distributed across the age, educational attainment, occupational, and socioeconomic…

The University of San Francisco developed a certificate program in Western European area studies covering French-speaking countries, and subsequently a Latin American area studies program for Spanish-speaking countries, in response to uneven language enrollments and as a means of increasing intermediate-level enrollment. The French program begins…