Identifies social/demographic trends affecting adult education. Discusses the blurring of functions performed by private- and public-sector educational providers. Examines obstacles to the establishment of a "learning society": the growing gap between the well and poorly educated; increasing state and regional educational inequities; and…

Foresees dramatic and permanent changes in colleges' and universities' role in the "Learning Society." Looks at current educational trends concerning competition among educational providers, part-time students, lifelong learning, and changing educational needs. Discusses cooperation, competition, and autonomy among educational providers. (DMM)

Given today's rapid pace of change in knowledge and lifestyles and the resultant obsolescence of an individual's education shortly after graduation, community college's must plan for and help promote the emergence of a learning society. Basic to the concept of lifelong learning are: (1) the restructuring of the entire educational system to develop…