ERIC Number: ED340414
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1991
Pages: 47
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Barriers to Adult Learners of an Isolated Northern Community.
Hilts, David J.
In 1991, a study was conducted to determine perceptions regarding the deterrents to college attendance among adult learners in an isolated northern community. The study consisted of a survey of 40 students at the Fort Nelson campus of Northern Lights College (NLC) in British Columbia, and a follow-up interview of eight of the survey respondents. Subjects for the study were enrolled full-time at NLC during the 1990-91 academic year. Major study findings included the following: (1) 57.5% of the students surveyed indicated that lack of funding had been a major reason for delaying college entry, and 40% indicated that lack of funding could prevent students from achieving college success; (2) lack of self-confidence was cited by 32.5% of the respondents as a barrier preventing entrance into a college program; (3) over 35% of the respondents indicated that the college could help remove barriers by providing information on financial assistance (55%), reducing tuition (42.5%), providing assistance with day care (40%), and providing more useful course offerings (37.5%); and (4) the major reasons given for dropping out of college in the past were lack of self-confidence (20%), family obligations (17.5%), obtaining work (15%), and lack of funding (15%). Appendixes provide the survey instrument and interview responses. (JMC)
Descriptors: Access to Education, Adult Students, Community Colleges, Dropouts, Enrollment Influences, Foreign Countries, Interviews, Questionnaires, Rural Education, School Location, Self Concept, Student Attitudes, Student Characteristics, Student Educational Objectives, Student Financial Aid, Two Year Colleges
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Masters Theses; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A