| Frequently
Asked Questions:
What is the Adult Learning Focused Institution?
The Adult Learning Focused Institution is a college or university
that serves adults effectively by organizing and delivering
their credit and non-credit programs using principles of adult
learning.
What are the Principles of Effectiveness for Serving
Adult Learners?
The Principles of Effectiveness provide the foundation for
policies and processes that result in an excellent educational
experience for adults. CAEL has designed the Principles as
a framework for colleges and universities to use in assessing
institutional practices.
Who is an Adult Learner?
Typically defined as a student over 25 years of age, students
are also considered "adults" when they become financially
independent of parents or guardians, have children to support,
marry or start a working career. They differ from traditionally
dependent young adults by virtue of their commitments and
obligations to family, community and work.
Are the Principles Exclusively for Adult Learners?
No. Today students develop responsibilities and principal
identities outside of the role of full-time student at younger
and younger ages. Many of the Principles are applicable to
learning in adolescence as well as adulthood, and we do not
diminish the scope of this work or the importance of good
universal educational practices by narrowly limiting these
Principles to the special needs of mature students.
Why Are Adults Attending College?
As the U.S. labor market shifts to a more information-based
economy, a college degree has become an important credential
in the marketplace. Employees who want to succeed in this
economic climate are pursuing a college education in increasing
numbers , and they are becoming a fast-growing part of the
undergraduate population at college campuses across the country,
How can these Principles of Effectiveness Benefit
Colleges Serving Adults?
Many institutions struggle to fully understand and keep up
with the fast-paced world of business and industry and often
have difficulty tailoring their programs and courses to the
demanding needs of working adults.
This is especially true in a time when labor and skill shortages
provide critical business and education partnership opportunities.
The Principles help colleges and universities determine how
their institution can better meet the needs of adults and
their employers.
Do Higher Education Institutions need to follow
specific protocols in order to be an Adult Learning Focused
Institution?
No. The mission, location and leadership of an institution
will influence the way a college or university organizes and
delivers its programs. The Principles of Effectiveness for
Serving Adult Learners can be carried out in a variety of
different ways by different institutions.
Have a question? Contact Judy Wertheim at jwertheim@cael.org
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