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ERIC Number: ED645784
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 96
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-3817-1286-5
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Adult Secondary Learners' Transition to College and the Impact of Institutional Agency on Their Trajectory
Patricia Oliva
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, University of California, Davis
The purpose of this qualitative study was to learn from the perspectives of adult secondary learners (ASLs) and transition navigators (TNs) regarding how K--12 adult education programs serve ASLs as they prepare to transition to community college. In this study, ASLs are defined as adult students working towards their high school diploma or equivalency while balancing adult responsibilities and social, psychological, and economic roles expected of adults in their communities. TNs are institutional agents who assist students with enrollment, goal setting, career planning, and transitions to college, training, and employment. Purposeful sampling was used to select six ASLs and four TNs to participate in this study. In-depth one-on-one ASL interviews and focus group data with TNs revealed findings in four key categories: (1) ASLs exhibited agency over their educational trajectory, empowered by family, community, and peers. (2) Teachers supported ASLs by building confidence, meeting learning needs, and validating experiences. (3) Peer and community connections empowered ASLs to persist toward goals. (4) While ASLs found college transition support through adult education, they offered additional ideas to enhance preparation. Findings provide insight into how adult education programs can better support ASLs in preparing to transition to community college. This study provides insight and aims to inform adult education leaders, programming, and policies to improve outcomes for this unique population of learners. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Adult Education; Secondary Education; Postsecondary Education; Higher Education; Two Year Colleges; Elementary Secondary Education; High Schools; High School Equivalency Programs
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A