"This book examines themes from adult students in higher education: dispositional characteristics, situational barriers to academic success, and how institutional policy and procedures create obstacles for these non-traditional learners. While much has been written in the peer-reviewed literature about adult students, a commonly missing perspective is that of the students. In this book, adult learners write about their own conditions and contexts, bringing to light the gaps in institutional support for this growing community. The rich narratives, case studies, and comprehensive reviews within chapters highlight the unique implications faced by this student population, and provide first-hand accounts on which institutions can acknowledge, value, and facilitate change for an evolved, equitable, and elevated educational experience. Contributors are: Lucas Allen, Sandra Becker, Keith Burn, Adele Chadwick, Kathleen Clarke, Daniel Cleminson, Geremy Collom, Amy De Jaeger, Natalie Dewing, Lori Doan, Eli Duykers, Susan E. Elliott-Johns, Angelina Evans, Melanie Extance, Margaret Greenfields, Leahann Hendrickse, Troy Hill, Sophie Karanicolas, Rahul Kumar, Cobi Ladner, Beth Loveys, Dorothy Missingham, Barbara A.Nicolls, Katia Olsen, Sarah O'Shea, Julie Podrebarac, Carmen Rodríguez de France, Rebecca Rochon, Selina Sharma, Nicola Simmons, Matthew Slater, Sherrie Smith, Cathy Snelling, Cathy Stone, Ashleigh Taylor, Preeti Vayada, Monica Wice and Sinead Wright"--

Adult learners comprise almost 50 percent of all students enrolled. Some argue they are pioneering change in today’s higher educational landscape. This book is designed to assist faculty members and administrators who want to understand how the impact of adult learning programs has and is helping to transform the academy and how newer initiatives are likely to change their own campuses in the coming decades. Through the use of case studies, and by blending the theoretical aspects of adult learning with practical application and personal experience, Lee Bash depicts each facet of adult learners and the requirements higher education must fulfill to meet their needs. The author explores The context of adult learning from four perspectives: adult programs, adult learners, demographics and projections, and programmatic best practices The distinguishing characteristics of adult learners, the special challenges they face, their motivations to continue their education, and why they seek and what they bring to college-level learning The institutional responses to the adult learner, such as programmatic perspectives and the fundamental needs required to sustain adult learning programs Meaningful applications of the term “lifelong learning” as well as some projections on how the 21st-century academy is likely to change This book is a helpful guide to all interested in understanding adult learning’s place in academia today and implementing and sustaining successful adult learning programs for tomorrow.

This handbook aims to be a guide to the best private schools of the country. It has been undertaken with the parent especially in mind, but it is hoped that it may be of value to school and college authorities and all others interested in the subject. It is believed that this Handbook is the first volume which attempts a critical and discriminating treatment of the private schools of the country. It is an endeavor to classify the schools on their merits -- at least a step, it is hoped, toward eventual standardization. - Editor's foreword.