The social and economic characteristics of adult students enrolled in postsecondary schools (collegiate and noncollegiate) in spring 1976 are examined, based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 1976 Survey of Income and Education. For students who were dependents, information is presented on their families. Findings include the following: adult…

Enrollment and retention trends during 1977-1981 for undergraduate nontraditional (age 25 and older) students at West Virginia University (WVU) were studied. During the 5-year period, the number of nontraditional undergraduates increased over 23 percent, while total undergraduate enrollment remained relatively stable. Nationally, females represent…

The development of the higher adult education movement in the U.S. over the past century is reviewed in this book. Focus is on the cultural conditions that made it possible, the persons who played key roles, the characteristics that distinguished each period, and the trends that emerged and continue to the present day. An overview is first given…

A survey questionnaire was designed and distributed to students in 38 community college evening classes in order to determine student characteristics and evaluate student satisfaction. The sample of 463 students had the following characteristics: 56% were male; the average age was 28; 75% were taking only evening classes; 54% were married, 13%…

An exploration of Project Transition, an outgrowth of the University Without Walls program for adult learners, is presented. The development on nontraditional educational thinking is recounted from a personal standpoint, including the realization that return to education in mid-life often signaled a larger decision to reshape personal identity,…

The California community colleges represent one of the few remaining tuition-free postsecondary systems, a position strengthened by recent legislation establishing a no-fee policy for all credit classes and removing the 21-year-old "defined adult" State funding limitation. Today's community college students average 25 years of age, most…

This book reports national data on trends and participation in continuing higher education. Statistics in the book have been derived from data collected by the authors, as well as by governmental and private organizations. The book is organized in six sections that cover the following topics: factors contributing to the growth of continuing higher…

Proceedings of three regional conferences on the quality of American higher education are presented. Sponsored by the Office of Educational Research and Improvement, these conferences consisted of round-table discussions concerning recommendations from the national report "Involvement in Learning," as well as strategies needed to…

In an effort to determine the degree aspirations and other interests of off-campus students, 786 students were surveyed in five off-campus extension and degree centers of Prince George's Community College. Fifty-two percent had immediate degree aspirations, 24% expected to transfer to a senior institution, and 24% had goals of personal enrichment,…

This report summarizes personal and academic characteristics of the 27,100 students enrolled at Hawaii's seven community colleges in spring 1978. Although the report emphasizes students in credit programs, registration counts of non-credit program students are included. The statistics come from Student Enrollment Reports, personal history forms,…

To determine whether tuition increases would adversely affect enrollments in the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), the status of VCCS tuition and enrollments and tuition's role among college enrollment planning variables were examined, and the variables that influence student enrollment trends were analyzed. The study revealed that the…

A survey of 7,500 older women living within commuting distance of Northwestern University was conducted to find possible candidates for a baccalaureate degree who had thought about returning to school. Women who belonged to volunteer organizations were sent a questionnaire asking about their educational achievements, future plans, and perceptions…

This report compares the characteristics of Santa Ana College (SAC) students enrolled in the fall 1966 semester with those of SAC students enrolled in fall 1976. Although the average age of SAC students has increased by only one year (from 26.9 to 27.8), the distribution of ages has radically changed, from modes of 18 and 22-25 to a single mode of…

An evaluation was performed to determine whether the materials of the British Open University could be adequately adapted for use in the United States. Three universities participated in the evaluation: the University of Houston, the University of Maryland, and Rutgers University. Each University differed in its interpretation of non-traditional…

The office of Services for Returning Students (SRS) at the University of Texas (U.T.) at Austin conducted a follow-up study of men and women students who had visited the office from February 1969 to the end of 1971. The study ascertained the average interval between periods of formal education, the fulfillment of educational goals, and the use of…