1. Participation in Adult Education Stacia T Sanders Kevin T Smith

2. Key Points “Historically, participation in adult educations is largely a voluntary activity.” “Historically, participation in adult educations is largely a voluntary activity.” “…without volunteer learners, there would be a much smaller enterprise of adult education.” “…without volunteer learners, there would be a much smaller enterprise of adult education.”

3. Key Points Therefore, providers of adult education need to know “who is participating, why they are participating, and what conditions are likely to promote greater participation.” Therefore, providers of adult education need to know “who is participating, why they are participating, and what conditions are likely to promote greater participation.” “Knowledge about participants is useful to policy makers in terms of funding and to those who plan and implement programs.” “Knowledge about participants is useful to policy makers in terms of funding and to those who plan and implement programs.” “For those who plan learning activities and instruct adults, it is certainly helpful to know as much as possible about the clientele being served.” “For those who plan learning activities and instruct adults, it is certainly helpful to know as much as possible about the clientele being served.”

4. Who Participates? First National Study (Johnston & Rivera 1965) First National Study (Johnston & Rivera 1965) Adult – 21 or Older, married, or the head of household Adult – 21 or Older, married, or the head of household Adult Education Activity – have as its main purpose the desire to acquire some type of knowledge, information, or skill and that it would include some form of instruction. Adult Education Activity – have as its main purpose the desire to acquire some type of knowledge, information, or skill and that it would include some form of instruction.

5. Who Participates? Demographics Demographics Man or Woman Man or Woman Typically under 40 Typically under 40 High School graduate or more High School graduate or more Above-average income Above-average income Works full-time Works full-time Married w/children Married w/children Lives in urbanized areas all over the US Lives in urbanized areas all over the US

6. Profile of Adult Learner Better educated, younger, higher income, most likely white and employed full-time Better educated, younger, higher income, most likely white and employed full-time

7. Why Adults Do or Do Not Participate Based on Numerous Survey Studies Based on Numerous Survey Studies Boshier’s Education Participation Scale (EPS) Boshier’s Education Participation Scale (EPS) Social Relationships Social Relationships External Expectations External Expectations Social Welfare Social Welfare Professional Advancement Professional Advancement Escape/Stimulation Escape/Stimulation Cognitive Interest Cognitive Interest

8. Barriers to Participation Biggest mystery is why more adults, especially those who might benefit the most, are not involved in adult education Biggest mystery is why more adults, especially those who might benefit the most, are not involved in adult education Two most cited reasons: Two most cited reasons: Time Time Money Money

9. Barriers to Participation Lack of Confidence Lack of Confidence Lack of Course Relevance Lack of Course Relevance Time Constraints Time Constraints Low Personal Priority Low Personal Priority Cost Cost Personal Problems Personal Problems

10. Psychosocial Interaction Model

11. Summary “…the profile of the typical adult learner remains remarkable consistent: white, middle class, employed, younger, and better educated than the nonparticipant. Further, employment-related reasons account for the majority of participant interest in continuing education.”