Adult Learning in Focus

Adult Learning in Focus: 2008

This report by the Council for Adult & Experiential Learning compares how states perform on educating adults. Shows that significant numbers of Americans have been left behind. In 35 states, more than 60% of the adult population has not completed an associate degree or higher.

Despite the fact that adults comprise a growing share of the total enrollment in postsecondary institutions, 32 states cannot catch up to the best performing countries internationally by relying solely on traditional 18-to-24-year-old-students.

Recommends a new emphasis on those aged 25 or older to improve enrollment and graduation rate. It also finds that the barriers to higher education remain high for many adults.

Higher levels of education are associated with:
~ decreased reliance on government financial assistance
~ growth in personal income yields greater returns to states in the form of tax revenues

Jobs that are expected to support our economy in the coming years will depend on a skilled workforce that is able to learn and adapt quickly to new challenges. Yet, the U.S. has lost its position as education leader of the world.

Demographic patterns demonstrate that relying on the traditional K–16 pipeline to meet the educational and workforce needs of our states and the nation will not be enough.

Has: Individual State Profiles and Downloadable Data