Mechanisms of Service-Delivery Systems of Adult Education in Non-University Institutions in Canada.

Overview & Synopsis

A study was conducted to identify and describe the different mechanisms of adult education services provided by non-university institutions in Canada. Specifically, the study sought to determine which institutions were involved in adult education, which service-delivery modes were most widely used, current trends, and which institutions and agencies have particular expertise in the field. Drawing from surveys, statistical reports, and other materials published between 1985 and 1989, the study found that: (1) in 1985, 47% of all courses taken by adult education participants were offered by non-educational institutions; (2) the primary providers of adult education were volunteer organizations, school boards, private schools, and employers; (3) the most widely used service-delivery modes were full- and part-time programs, summer programs, distance education, and cooperative education; (4) full-time programs were generally offered in primary and secondary schools and in community or private colleges; (5) in 1985-86, 166,330 adult students were enrolled in regular part-time programs in community colleges across Canada; (6) the following year, 2,279 adults were enrolled full time in community college upgrading or self-improvement programs; (7) 90% of the distance education programs in Canada are correspondence courses, enrolling approximately 650,000 students; and (8) other frequently used methods of distance education are radio, television, and telephone, though distance is also offered via computer, satellite, cable, video conferences, fiber-optics, and electronic courier. Current trends in adult education include cooperative interprovincial agreements, ongoing needs assessment, services to the disabled, personalized teaching and evaluation, and community-based services. (WJT)