WITH THE INCREASING LEISURE TIME OF BLUE-COLLAR WORKERS, CONCERN IS GROWING OVER THEIR LOW PARTICIPATION IN ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMS. MYTHS ABOUT BLUE-COLLAR WORKERS WHICH STAND IN THEIR WAY INCLUDE--LOWER CLASS APATHY, INCAPABILITY OF SUSTAINED INTELLECTUAL EFFORT, AND LACK OF APPRECIATION OF THE VALUE OF EDUCATION. OBSTACLES INHERING IN SOCIAL CONDITIONS WERE REVEALED IN A STUDY MADE BY THE AUTHORS IN OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, AND INCLUDED--LOWER CLASS FEELINGS OF BEING TOO OLD OR TIRED, FEAR OF FAILURE, NEGATIVE PRESSURES FROM PEERS, AND AN UNAWARENESS OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS SPONSORING ACTIVITIES. THESE STEREOTYPES AND THE INABILITY OF ADULT EDUCATORS TO UNDERSTAND LOWER CLASS LIFE SITUATION HAVE FORESTALLED IMAGINATIVE PROGRAMING. IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO IMPROVE PROGRAMS, ALSO, BECAUSE OF LITTLE FEEDBACK FROM THE LESS ARTICULATE BLUE-COLLAR WORKER. LOW SKILLED WORKERS TENDED TO PARTICIPATE IN ADULT EDUCATION IN ORDER TO GET A NEW JOB BUT MANY WHO WANT A NEW JOB WERE NOT PARTICIPATING. THE LABOR MARKET CONDITION AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYMENT MAY HAVE BEEN IMPORTANT FACTORS. IT MAY ALSO BE THAT ADULT EDUCATION COURSES WERE NOT MESHED WITH OPENINGS IN THE LABOR MARKET. THIS ARTICLE APPEARED IN BLUE COLLAR WORLD, EDITED BY ARTHUR B. SHOSTAK AND WILLIAM GOMBERG, WHICH IS AVAILABLE FROM PRENTICE-HALL, ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NEW JERSEY. (PT)