In spring 2010, institution-wide budget cuts resulted in several layoffs at Framingham State University (FSU), including the position of Associate Dean of the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education (DGCE). In his position as the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of DGCE, Scott Greenberg asked their Vice President for…

This study examines the dynamics of continuing higher education units within the sociopolitical context of higher education institutions. A qualitative approach to data collection and analysis was the study's design, while the theoretical frame was a postmodern, symbolic, theoretical approach to organizational studies. Results show that continuing…

In the second article in a series marking 90 years of NIACE support for adult learning, the author charts the changing shape of adult education in the decades following the Second World War, and the Institute's emergence as a "major non-governmental force" in the development of adult education. In 1983 the NIAE changed its name to the…

Implementing blended accelerated learning programs or courses requires a systematic approach, not just the addition of new technologies. Small colleges face challenges when they move toward blended learning because of already-constrained resources. In this article, we will survey issues faced by small colleges in moving to blended learning,…

This study examines how aspects of a militarily enforced occupation have influenced continuing education at Palestinian universities. It focuses on three influences: the impact of the politics of occupation on the history of continuing education; the effect of travel restriction, violence, and a damaged economy on participation; and the influence…

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…

Offers a brief description of 10 program development models for continuing education. They include models for design, planning, positioning, entrepreneurship, cognition, learning, politics, culture, environment, and configuration. (JOW)

Five indicators of failure suggest mistakes in program design or delivery: aborted planning, insufficient enrollment, negative reactions, unattained objectives, and incomplete transfer of learning. Learning from these mistakes requires deliberate reflection and systematic analysis. (SK)

Interviews with 32 adult education practitioners elicited success/failure factors. Practice-related observations included (1) reflecting on success/failure helps clarify values and assumptions; (2) new ways of perceiving, planning, and evaluating are stimulated; (3) integrating past experiences with changing demands promotes flexibility; (4)…

A review of the European Union's adult continuing education (ACE) and training policies concludes that most national systems of ACE are already multifaceted and flexible; the European Union's policy focus on economic growth and competitiveness intensifies environmental degradation and economic inequities; and European Union financial support may…

This study borrows and reformulates the concept of technology from organization theory and applies it to program planning in an attempt to explain variability in practices examined in three adult education units. It was found that planning varied among organizations but not sufficiently to describe the types of technology encountered. (JOW)

In continuing education, recruitment is the step whereby adults are inducted into a program of systematic learning; retention relates to the capacity of the program to transform the initial commitment into continuing participation. Adult students are more likely to initiate and to continue participation when recruitment and retention activities…

Four types of program failure are (1) termination before implementing a planned program; (2) insufficient enrollment; (3) failure to meet participant expectations; and (4) failure to achieve objectives. Speculations about probable causes of failure can lead to principles for improving practice and to theories about program failure. (SK)

Presents a critical appraisal model that is proactive, research based, and learner oriented. Discusses process, content, political, and contextual issues. Uses a case study of a continuing education master's program to illustrate the model in practice. (Contains 26 references.) (SK)

Ten trends in marketing adult and continuing education are long-range planning, targeted programs, seasonality, better brochure design, spinoff brochures, tracking, database marketing, alternatives to direct mail, retention, and teachers' image or reputation. (SK)