National Household Education Surveys of 2001. Participation in Adult Education and Lifelong Learning: 2000-01

摘要

Adults participate in various types of educational activities in order to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the workforce, to earn a college or advanced degree, to learn basic skills or English language skills, or to enrich their lives. Taken as a whole, these activities constitute adult education. Traditionally, full-time enrollment in postsecondary degree or diploma programs is not considered to be adult education participation. This report holds to that convention. A recent study indicates that participation in adult education has grown steadily over the past three decades. Many societal factors influence participation in adult education activities. Changing demographics, including the aging of the population, reentry of women into the workplace, and an influx of immigrants, alter the base of potential participants. The effect of the global economy and technological advances on the nature of adult education has been significant.