Step 3: Adult-Centered Implementation
Student Support
One of the biggest challenges of any adult learning program is that adults may find it very difficult to stay with an education or training program through to its conclusion, particularly if participation in that program is voluntary. The National Center for Education Statistics, for example, has compared the enrollment patterns of traditional-aged students (under age 24) with those of adult learners (over age 24) and has found that adult learners are less likely to be continuously enrolled than traditional-aged students and they are also less likely to re-enroll after dropping out. The NCES believes that the reasons for this difference include: greater family and work demands, goals that are “less than degree” (in other words, they may say they want a bachelor’s degree, when actually they want to learn specific skills to advance in their job, for example, and leave after achieving those objectives), and the fact that they have been out of school longer and may therefore be less prepared academically or psychologically to be in school. In addition, affording education and training may be a significant challenge to adults.
Because of the many obstacles to adult learner persistence, it is important to support their efforts wherever possible. Key Components for supporting students in their learning efforts include:
- Conduct outreach
- Provide advising and other academic support
- Innovation: Use of peers for support and learning
- Innovation: Use of mentors in learning and at work
- Provide social support services
- Check in and follow up with the student
- Innovation: Retention/Post-placement support
- Find ways to ease the financial burden of training and learning
- Resources for Student Support
Five percent (5%) of part-time associate’s degree students 24 and over were continuously enrolled, compared with 24% of part-time associate’s degree students under 24. (Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, 1990 Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study First Followup)
Forty-six percent (46%) of those 24 and older seeking a bachelor’s degree dropout without re-enrolling, compared to 23% of those under 24. (Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, 1989-90 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study)