educating
the
educators

Did you know...

adult learners make up the highest proportion of first year college students...

... but only one third actually graduate?

Over a 3 year period...it averages out that only 1.5M adults eventually graduate

Adults
are forced
to get a
degree by employers

and need
increased
income

Untitled Slide

why is this important
to know?

financial issues

• Universities are struggling financially
• government funding they receive is based on enrollment and retention statistics.
• Universities look for ways to continue to meet ever changing budgets.

solution

retain adult students already inside the university's
doors !

why don't
adults
stay
enrolled?

Adult learners
needs
arent
being met

if we meet this groups needs....

increased graduation rates

and ... improved retention will benefit universities

and... have a ripple effect on the way people live and work!

What
are
adult learners
needs?

- commuting
- finances
- home life
- structure of the classroom experience

A
conceptual
model of
non-traditional student attritioN for persistance
or departure
(Anderson)

->

Look At:
Differences in how adults learn

->

Utilizing this information
and
comparing it
to the programming in place

educators will be able to better meet the needs of adult students and hold hold their interest.

Engaging an adult learner with programming modifications isn’t the only challenge faced

Time
is also
a need
not being met

Time-Saving Ideas...

• Utilizing courses designed to be completed in less time
• recognize and include credit for life experience

Revising the programming,
as well as addressing time constraints,
doesn’t alter the fact ...

that the bottom line is always about the financial impact on acquiring a college degree.

adult learners, who are more often single parents with dependents, need their degree to be affordable

The competency-based degree program at Western Governors University “charges a flat-rate tuition for every six months of enrollment

and students’ advancement is based on what they can prove they know.

this is called
competency
based
education

Because the students are paying for the time to prove their competence…

it’s an incentive to work faster to complete their degree and save money” (Button).

However,
reentry adults aren’t the only ones who have financial concerns.

What happens to Universities if they recalibrate how they charge for degrees?

Universities need ongoing steady enrollment and tuition income,

as well as the government allocation of funding granted to universities, which is based on retention rates,

to fulfill budgetary requirements

According to a White House report, “President Obama’s Educational plan will connect student aid to outcomes,

which will in turn drive a better, more affordable education for all students” (White House).

why aren’t Universities looking at retention rates
as well?

Universities are in the business of education

Yet they haven't
paid attention to the largest group of individuals they have inside their doors...

and have
failed
to retain

These are students they don’t even have to spend money enticing to attend their University!

The President’s report suggests allowing for competency-based education

to retain
adult learners,
and solve this issue

but what is the impact on universities regarding these modifications to their traditional programming?

Competency-based education has an impact on the credit hour

..........

Using universities who have already undergone the pains of initiating program change

reform can occur by utilizing what has been successful.

But, what happens if universities don’t deviate from tradition?

Unable to continue to find ways to generate income, universities will see continued cuts occur.

By being open to change, Universities won’t have to close their doors

universities invoking innovations in adult programming

would see an influx of more adult students attracted to the unique features their programs offer

Increased and sustained enrollment will positively impact budgets when retention goals are met.

Who wins when universities are a proponent of and leaders of change in adult education?

Everyone.

Adults, themselves, triumph by the acquisition of a degree

Incomes increase, and the largest group who make up the adult learning population,

The standard of living would raise for a whole population

as well as the ripple effect of increased spending with surrounding businesses.

Degreed professionals would not only spread their knowledge in the workplace,

but also pave the way for significant achievements and ideas in the area of research.

Society, in general, would benefit from the influx of educated and degreed individuals

fewer individuals would require government assistance

and the government would be able to better allocate its funding where it’s needed.

There is an immediate social impact

due to the knowledge, skills, and changes in behavior the individual demonstrates

Educating an adult definitely impacts how they view the education of their own children.

Children see their parents work for an education,

and they, in turn, make secondary education a priority in their own life.

the largest group actualizing benefits, are the universities themselves.

Tuition income immediately rises for universities

more jobs could be created

Universities will thrive when open to innovative ideas

and implement programs which address adult learner’s needs.

The time to take action is now!

With the influx of adult students steadily rising,

as well as being the largest group
enrolled
in higher ed,

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being able to retain this group, will assist universities ever-challenged budget constraints.

Retention is a key element to be fiscally solvent

only when Universities are open to changing to meet those needs

will they continue to flourish and be leaders in educating.

Nelson Mandela is known for saying “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”

Making the simple change in addressing current students’ needs

will indeed
change
the
world

Are you ready to be part of that change?