Research & ReportsGoing back to college as an adult can be daunting, but for many adults that step is essential. More than ever before, more jobs today require at least some college-level education, and that demand is expected to increase. Employment requiring a high school diploma only is rapidly disappearing; such jobs, for example, comprised some 80 percent of the more than 7 million jobs that were lost during the Great Recession. In contrast, 99 percent of jobs created during the recovery from that downturn require at least some college-level training. Given these trends, it is clear that ensuring that an ample supply of individuals are able to earn college credentials is an imperative for a prosperous economy and society.
This exploratory study focuses on three areas critical to encouraging adult learners to engage and ultimately succeed in postsecondary education: prior learning assessment, resources specific to adult learner needs, and the pathway approach.
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