Women Returning to Learning.

Overview & Synopsis

Part 1 extends a previous study of "fresh start" courses in adult education in England. It focuses on the particular needs of women for renewed educational opportunities in mature life. This part describes and analyzes the provision to meet those needs represented by seven years' further work in Fresh Horizons at London's City Literary Institute and in the Fresh Start courses at the Richmond Adult and Community College. Data are from detailed questionnaires completed by 325 women and 68 men and additional information obtained from smaller numbers enrolled in courses at the Swarthmore Education Centre, Leeds, and in Second Chance Opportunities and Education for Women (SCOPE) courses offered by the YWCA in East Anglia. The statistical elements of the study are summarized and their validity examined in a substantial appendix. Part 2 considers critically other "returning to learning" opportunities created in recent years in various sectors of higher, further, and adult education. It discusses the encouragement given to some by central government through action by the Manpower Services Commission and by promotion of Access courses to assist ethnic minorities. Attention is given to work promoted by the Open Colleges Federation of the North-West, parallel activity in the London region, and initiatives committed to "women only" solutions. (YLB)