A study was undertaken to identify the characteristics of the adult learner who persists in the North Carolina learning laboratories program, and to differentiate between him and the student who does not persist. The program was established under the "Open Door Policy" articulated by the State Board of Education in 1963, which opened all institutions to all adults (18 years and older) regardless of prior educational experience. The learning laboratories are centers in the community colleges offering instruction of either a programed or a self directed nature toward high school equivalency or high school diploma tests, preparation for entrance to a community college, college preparation, upgrading in specific subject areas, and study of a subject for personal satisfaction. Persistence was found to correlate positively with age and with years since attending school, but no significant correlation was found with academic ability, social adjustment, job-related objectives, or employment status. Recommendations for further study and for encouraging persistence are included. (MF)