Previous research within the comparative tradition suggests that age and academic ability of ABE participants are related to attrition. Information on these variables is easily obtained by ABE practitioners and could be used to identify those at risk of leaving the program before completing their goals. No single measure of these variables alone, however, has been able to adequately identify those at risk. This study tested, through discriminant analyses, two prediction models which used the combined ability of age and entry-level reading and math scores to differentiate between completing and noncompleting students.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Anderson, R. E.
, & Darkenwald, G.G. (1979). Participation and persistence in American adult education.New York: The College Board. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 181 186)
2.
Beder, H.
(1991). Adult literacy: Issues for policy and practice.Malabar, FL: Krieger.
3.
Beder, H.
, & Quigley, B. A. (1990). Beyond the classroom. Adult Learning, 1(5), 19-21.
4.
Beder, H.
, Baldwin, J.,Merrifield, J., & Quigley, A. (1993, June). Dropping out - again and again: A lifelong issue for adult learners.Symposium conducted at the Commission of Adult Basic Education Conference, New Orleans.
5.
Boshier, R.
(1973). Educational participation and dropout: A theoretical model. Adult Education23(4), 255-282.
6.
Bosma, J. (1988). Attrition and persistence in adult literacy programs. Unpublished master's thesis, University of Minnesota. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 300 670)
7.
Cervero, R. M.
, & Kirkpatrick, T. E. (1990). The enduring effects of family role and schooling on participation in adult education. American Journal of Education,77-94.
8.
Courtney, S.
(1992). Why adults learn: Towards a theory of participation in adult education.London: Routledge.
9.
Darkenwald, G. G.
, & Gavin, W. J. (1987). Dropout as a function of discrepancies between expectations and actual experiences of the classroom social enviornment. Adult Education Quarterly, 37, 152-163.
10.
Darkenwald, G. G.
, & Merriam, S. (1987). Adult education: Foundations of practice.New York: Harper & Row.
11.
Development Associates
. (1994). National evaluation of adult education programs (Third interim report): Patterns and predictors of client attendance. Contract No. LC90065001). Washington, D.C.: United States Department of Education.
12.
Diekhoff, G. M.
, & Diekhoff, K. M. (1984). The adult literacy program attrition problem: Identification at intake. Adult Literacy and Basic Education8(1), 34-47.
13.
Dirkx, J. M.
, & Jha, L.R. (1992). Types of ABE/GED students by outcome of enrollment: Characteristics and implications for program planning. In A. Blunt (Ed.), Proceedings of the 33rd Annual Adult Education Research Conference (pp. 67-74). Saskatoon, Saskatchewan: University of Saskatchewan.
14.
Hayes, E. R.
(1988). A typology of low-literate adults based on perceptions of deterrents to participation in adult education. Adult Education Quarterly, 39, 1-10.
15.
Huang, J.
, Benavot, A., & Cervero, R. (1990). An analysis of structural factors associated with participation in state-funded adult basic education programs. In P. Kleiber, & L. Tisdale (Eds), The 31st Annual Proceedings of Adult Education Research Conference (pp. 113-118). Athens, GA: University of Georgia.
16.
Johnstone, J. W.
, & Rivera, R. J. (1965). Volunteers for learning: A study of the educational pursuits of American adults.Chicago: Aldine.
17.
Klecka, W. R.
(1980). Discriminant analysis.Beverly Hills: Sage.
18.
Kronick, R. F.
, & Hargis, C. H. (I990). Dropouts: Who drops out and why--and the recommended action.Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.
19.
Langenbach, M.
, & Korhonen, L. (1988). Persisters and nonpersisters in a graduate level, nontraditional, liberal education program. Adult Education Quarterly, 38, 136-148.
20.
Long, H. B.
(1983). Adult Learning: Research and practice.New York: Cambridge.
21.
Martin, L. G.
(1987). Life-style classification of adult high school noncompleters. Adult Education Quarterly, 38, 23-45.
22.
Martin, L. G.
(1988). Dropout in adult literacy programs: An application of Tinto's model of attrition. In C. Coggins (Ed.), Proceedings of Midwest Research-to-Practice Conference, (pp. 90-95). Madison Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin-Madison.
23.
Mezirow, J.
, Darkenwald, G. G., & Knox, A. B. (1975). Last gamble on education: Dynamics of adult basic education.Washington, D.C.: Adult Education Association (U.S.A.).
24.
Pugsley, R.
(1990). Vital statistics: Who is served by the adult education program.Washington, D.C.: Division of Adult Education and Literacy, United States Department of Education.
25.
Quigley, B. A.
(1990). Reproduction and resistance in adult literacy and adult basic education, Adult Education Quarterly, 40, 103-115.
26.
Quigley, B. A.
(1992a). The disappearing student: The attrition problem in adult basic education. Adult Learning, 4(1), 25-26, 31.
27.
Quigley, B. A.
(1992b). Looking back in anger: The influences of schooling on illiterate adults. Journal of Education, 174, 104-121.
28.
Rachal, J. R.
, Jackson, L., & Leonard, R. (1987). Factors affecting persistence and attrition in adult basic education. Adult Literacy and Basic Education, 11, 129-138.
29.
Sainty, G. F.
(1971). Predicting dropouts in adult education courses. Adult Education21(4), 223-230.
30.
Scanlon, C.
, & Darkenwald, G. (1984). Identifying deterrents to participation in continuing education. Adult Education Quarterly, 34, 155-166.
31.
Shipp, T.
, & McKenzie L. R. (1981). Adult learners and non-learners: Demographic characteristics as an indicator of psychographic characteristics. Adult Education, 31(4), 187-198.
32.
Smith, F. B.
(1985) High school equivalency preparation for recent dropouts. In G. G. Darkenwald, & A. B. Knox, (Eds.), Meeting educational needs of young adults (pp. 41-54). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
33.
Trueba, H. T.
(1989). Rethinking dropouts: Culture and literacy for minority student empowerment. In H. T. Trueba, G. Spindler, & L. Spindler. (Eds.), What do anthropologists have to say about dropouts?New York: Falmer Press.
34.
Verner, C.
, & Davis, G. S. (1964). Completions and dropouts: A review of the research. Adult Education, 14, 157-176.
