Exploring the College (Re)Enrollment Decisions among Adult Learners of Color: Using the 'Iloh Model of College-Going Decisions and Trajectories' to Understand the Role of Ecosystems and Shaping Experiences
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| Title: | Exploring the College (Re)Enrollment Decisions among Adult Learners of Color: Using the 'Iloh Model of College-Going Decisions and Trajectories' to Understand the Role of Ecosystems and Shaping Experiences |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Mark Hatcher, Jasmine Howard, Jessica Mason, Rachel Blume, Victoria Salinas, Chelsea Hood, Kelle Parsons, American Institutes for Research (AIR) |
| Source: | American Institutes for Research. 2023. |
| Availability: | American Institutes for Research. 1400 Crystal Drive 10th Floor, Arlington, VA 22202. Tel: 202-403-5000; Fax: 202-403-5001; e-mail: inquiry@air.org; Web site: https://www.air.org/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 26 |
| Publication Date: | 2023 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | Lumina Foundation |
| Document Type: | Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Adult Education Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Adult Students, Minority Group Students, College Enrollment, Decision Making, Student Attitudes, Nontraditional Students, Time, Access to Information, Individual Development, Career Development, Behavior Standards, Social Behavior, Influence of Technology, Social Influences, Opportunities |
| Geographic Terms: | California, Georgia, Texas |
| Abstract: | In this report, AIR shares an exploratory analysis of how the past and present experiences of adult learners of color shape their perceptions of college and decisions they make. Existing research highlights some common motivations, strengths, and barriers for adult learners (see, e.g., Patterson, 2018); however, it does not deeply explore the full educational journeys of adult learners, which begin long before they enroll in postsecondary institutions as adults. In addition, much of the current research does not focus explicitly on adult learners of color, and when it does, it focuses more on learners' experiences once they are enrolled, rather than exploring their full trajectories and the key decisions they make along the way. The small number of studies that have focused explicitly on adult learners of color have identified unique postsecondary issues, including the desire of these learners to earn credit for prior learning assessment in foreign languages and the negative effects of classroom climates (Coker, 2003; Jain & Crisp, 2018; Klein-Collins, 2020). These research insights underscore the importance of examining the interplay between past and present experiences in shaping adult learners' perceptions and decisions around college and education. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | ED663790 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | In this report, AIR shares an exploratory analysis of how the past and present experiences of adult learners of color shape their perceptions of college and decisions they make. Existing research highlights some common motivations, strengths, and barriers for adult learners (see, e.g., Patterson, 2018); however, it does not deeply explore the full educational journeys of adult learners, which begin long before they enroll in postsecondary institutions as adults. In addition, much of the current research does not focus explicitly on adult learners of color, and when it does, it focuses more on learners' experiences once they are enrolled, rather than exploring their full trajectories and the key decisions they make along the way. The small number of studies that have focused explicitly on adult learners of color have identified unique postsecondary issues, including the desire of these learners to earn credit for prior learning assessment in foreign languages and the negative effects of classroom climates (Coker, 2003; Jain & Crisp, 2018; Klein-Collins, 2020). These research insights underscore the importance of examining the interplay between past and present experiences in shaping adult learners' perceptions and decisions around college and education. |
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