LearnmoreMN Blog: Advocating for Adult Learners

By Laura Gilbert, May guest blogger

For generations the U.S. has been a world leader in postsecondary education both in quality and in the percentage of our population with a two- or four-year college degree. Estimated to be about 40%, this number has remained steady for the past 40 years. Eager to compete in an in information-driven, global economy, other countries stepped up efforts to educate their population. To remain competitive the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems estimates the U.S. must produce 15.5 million more degrees than current trends are likely to produce between now and 2025 — or one million additional degrees annually for the next 15 years. If we succeed, the U.S. might match the percentage of graduates in Canada, Japan and South Korea. Failure could have significant economic and social consequences for our country. Estimates suggest traditional-aged students may complete 1.3 million additional degrees during that time period. That still leaves us 14.2 million degrees short.

The solution? Re-engage our adult learners. Three Minnesota efforts are leading the way to do just that.

Becoming college ready
In 2008, the Minnesota State College and University system and Minnesota Department of Education Adult Basic Education launched Minnesota FastTRAC: Training, Resources And Credentialing. FastTRAC is designed to develop pathways to sustainable employment for the 692,000 Minnesotans who hold a high school diploma/GED or less and who are of prime working age. FastTRAC is a systems-level education and training initiative with an emphasis on helping adults who lack the basic skills necessary to enter and complete postsecondary degree and certificate programs. Since its inception, FastTRAC has developed key partnerships to deliver its programs including the Office of Higher Education, Department of Human Services and the Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Finish what you started
An estimated 17.2 million U.S. adults possess some college credits but hold no degree including 336,000 in Minnesota. In fact, the U.S. ranks near the bottom of industrialized countries in the percentage of entering students who complete a degree program. The Midwest Higher Education Compact is exploring the creation of a multi-state credential repository for education, skills and training — Midwest CREST. This program would provide a web-based platform to bank or store college credits earned from multiple institutions. Partner colleges could assess a student’s transcript and “bid” for the opportunity to facilitate his or her completion of a degree. By establishing portability of credits, individuals in our increasingly mobile society will have an opportunity to complete a quality degree no matter how often life requires them to move. Program recommendations will be complete in late 2010.

Engaged in the second half of life
The vision for work after age 50 is changing. Increased life-expectancy, loss of retirement funds and/or one’s job and even the baby boomer culture of “making a difference” or “giving back” all play a part in this shift. Today, four out of five people over 50 plan to work in retirement, whether for enrichment or necessity, often in positions for which they must acquire new skills. Consequently, baby boomers are returning to school in record numbers. To meet this need, in 2008 the American Association of Community Colleges launched a three-year “Plus 50 Learner” initiative across the country to benchmark and showcase innovative community college programs that target the 50 learner. Century College in Maplewood was one of five institutions selected nationally as a mentor college for the Plus 50 Initiative. Century’s PrimeTime/Plus 50 offers short-term courses in skills development, enrichment and service opportunities; all under the phrase, “Re-hired, re-wired and re-inspired.” In addition, Century has partnered with other Minnesota community colleges to offer a variety of programs of interest to the Plus 50 learner.

Adult learners are quickly becoming the new face of postsecondary education. Federal legislation, philanthropic grants and private ventures have joined higher educational institutions in the effort to increase adult access to educational opportunities and guidance to ensure success. Minnesota stands to be a leader in the process.

Laura Gilbert, Ph.D., Back to School for Grownups; serving the adult learner community through coaching, consulting and conversation.