Adult Learning in Focus: National and State-by-State Data

The benefits associated with postsecondary credentials are well-known, yet the U.S. is losing its historic world dominance with respect to educational attainment. To be globally competitive, the U.S. must increase the number of adults holding postsecondary credentials. First, though, we must identify the specific areas in which change is needed and set priorities. In other words, we need data. Funded by Lumina Foundation for Education, the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), in partnership with the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS), has produced a report, Adult Learning in Focus, that provides comprehensive data on the current state of adult learning, compares how states perform, and suggests policy changes to increase the numbers. This session will review the data and make some specific recommendations for adddressing such barriers as affordability, availability, and aspiration.