Our nation's economy and global competitiveness depend on an educated, skilled workforce that can quickly adapt to changes in technology and business processes. Adult educators understand that adult learners need opportunities to obtain workplace and career management skills through work-based learning experiences that prepare them for the complex…

The American Association of Community Colleges' (AACC) Plus 50 Initiative (2008-2011), funded by The Atlantic Philanthropies, was created to build the capacity of community colleges nationwide to develop programming that engages the plus 50 learner. The Initiative supported a pilot group of 13 two-year institutions to develop or expand college…

The purposes of this paper are to explain the development processes of an intensive summer program for English language learners and to discuss course improvement strategies based on the evaluation outcomes. This 60-hr partnership program between local schools and a university was developed to improve the language proficiency of increasing numbers…

Argues that instructional development provides an efficient model for planning programs for adult learners. Outlines three stages of instructional development: analysis of needs, goals, course content, learner characteristics, and the learning environment; development of instructional strategies and delivery systems; and program evaluation. (CAM)

This book offers step-by-step guidance on using needs assessment to design high-quality programs in continuing education. The book begins with a definition and description of needs assessment as part of the process of developing a continuing education program. The first of the book's 10 chapters describes the role of needs assessment in…

Describes the Reentry Adult Student Project which sought to identify the educational needs of adult students enrolled in various occupational curricula in New York state two-year colleges and assist in developing programs and support services to meet their needs. Outlines professional reactions to the Project findings. (AYC)

This primer aims to help adult educators form a conceptual framework that will enable them to relate their daily activities to overall plans and procedures. Section I presents some definitions of the field of adult education, its development, and conceptual foundations. Section II discusses the clientele of adult education and specific problems…

This book describes the policy initiatives and economic realities that influence the design of programs for adult English language learners, demonstrating how the agendas of each stakeholder can be reconciled in a way that renders them mutually supportive. It focuses on the commonalities among stakeholder goals. It equips instructors to provide…

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)

The need for social work professionals to remain current is addressed. The study, using a panel of 121 social workers and others, achieved a level of consensus relative to theories, methodologies, and content areas and then projected a functional model useful for intermediate and long-range program planning. (Author/MLW)

Future Directions for a Learning Society is a program being conducted by the College Board with funds from the Exxon Corporation to study, plan, demonstrate, and develop new services in the area of adult, lifelong, recurrent, and continuing education. The initiatives and strategic actions of the program are outlined. (JMF)

Recent Further Education Unit (FEU) research has provided clear evidence of technical college students' needs for career and educational guidance throughout their program of study. Inhouse technical college guidance services to individuals and institutions offer a number of benefits to both students receiving the services and the institutions…

After an examination of societal currents leading up to the student revolution of the sixties, the author develops a theoretical concept of needs assessment. Assuming that effective needs assessment and program planning depends on the success of simulating the "needing" process of constituents, he divides community college clientele into…

The papers presented at three conferences dealing with nontraditional students at community colleges comprise this report. Papers included are: "Aging in America" by Francis Scott; "Aging in Oregon: A Look at Clackamas Community College" by Larry Forsythe; "Community Needs Assessment: Some Reflections" by Alice Kethley; "Education for Aging: A…

Atlantic Community College (New Jersey) undertook to track the educational needs of adult students in its region. There were three purposes: (1) to improve and expand existing educational programs and services; (2) to gear potential new programs and services to specific community educational needs; and (3) to base all institutional plans on an…