I think it is extremely unfortunate that this message is posed as and actually reflects a fairly adversarial attitude. First of all, the administrative responsibility for adult education programs in K-12 systems does not mean they are not "institutions where adults learn." There is a tremendous amount of adult learning going on in adult schools.
Second, there is a vast population to be served, and one size and one pattern does not "fit all." There are students who are academically-oriented and interested in a college track. There are many more adult learners for whom that is not a realitic or immediate goal.
Regarding the GED, many studies have shown that the difference in lifetime earnings between those who do not complete secondary studies and those who obtain a GED only is fairly small, whereas the lifetime earnings differential between those who obtain only a GED and those who earn a high school diploma is relatively and absolutely mcuh larger. Adult education programs are uniquely suited to provide basic education and secondary education to adults, in an atmosphere and community based program that redounds to the benefit and educational level of the entire family. The logical connection of adult education to the K-12 system is that we are both teaching subject matter to the eighth grade and 12th grade level.
The bill requiring coordination and joint planning and evaluation is a big step forward, and should not be attacked by the old nostrums that seek "turf" for CC systems. We have worked out some very close integration and coordination between adult ed vocational classes and community college programs in L.A. where a career ladder is created that takes students along in successfully manageable steps, steadily increasing competencies, employability and student desire and capacity to learn. This is the model we should be pursuing.
Posted as a reply to:
Adult Ed. vs. Community College by Deborah Shanks
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