'What We Came For': Adult Learner Perspectives on Goals and Outcomes of Adult Foundational Education
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| Title: | 'What We Came For': Adult Learner Perspectives on Goals and Outcomes of Adult Foundational Education |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Margaret Becker Patterson, Jungeun Lee, Lisa Soricone, Frank Gerdeman |
| Source: | Adult Literacy Education. 2025 7(3):17-31. |
| Availability: | ProLiteracy. 101 Wyoming Street, Syracuse, NY 13204. Tel: 888-528-2224; Tel: 315-214-2400; Fax: 315-422-6369; e-mail: info@proliteracy.org; Web site: https://proliteracy.org/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 15 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Adult Education Adult Basic Education Elementary Education |
| Descriptors: | Adult Students, Student Attitudes, Adult Basic Education, Student Educational Objectives, Outcomes of Education, Student Characteristics |
| ISSN: | 2642-3669 |
| Abstract: | Do U.S. adult learners really "get what they came for" in adult foundational education programs -- and how do we measure the value of what they get? A pressing need exists to conduct return-on-investment research to make clear the benefits of learner investments in adult foundational education to funders and prospective partners. As U.S. researchers in the Evidence-Based Adult Education System, we conceptualized return-on-investment research to center on perspectives of adult learners who seek to meet their needs in adult foundational education programs (learner return-on-investment). To lay a foundation for learner return-on-investment analyses, in 2022 we conducted a survey of 793 adult learners to identify their goals and outcomes. This paper shares major survey results and offers four quantifiable priority areas that may be considered as topics for further study of learner return-on-investment. Priority areas include making a positive difference in the community, family support, learning outcomes, and career outcomes. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1487184 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Do U.S. adult learners really "get what they came for" in adult foundational education programs -- and how do we measure the value of what they get? A pressing need exists to conduct return-on-investment research to make clear the benefits of learner investments in adult foundational education to funders and prospective partners. As U.S. researchers in the Evidence-Based Adult Education System, we conceptualized return-on-investment research to center on perspectives of adult learners who seek to meet their needs in adult foundational education programs (learner return-on-investment). To lay a foundation for learner return-on-investment analyses, in 2022 we conducted a survey of 793 adult learners to identify their goals and outcomes. This paper shares major survey results and offers four quantifiable priority areas that may be considered as topics for further study of learner return-on-investment. Priority areas include making a positive difference in the community, family support, learning outcomes, and career outcomes. |
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| ISSN: | 2642-3669 |
