The Adult Education Enterprise

Abstract

The number of published research studies relating directly to the organization, management, staffing, and financing of institutions of adult education increased significantly during the past five years. A number of outstanding doctoral dissertations analyzed phases of adult education as developed through the public schools, libraries, cooperative extension services, university extension services, and related services. Research personnel identified with such disciplines as law, sociology, and economics chose to study problems in education that have a direct bearing on the organization, staffing, and financing of the adult program. Private research organizations and citizens committees were involved in an intensive assessment of specific adult education programs and have recommended significant changes in the enterprise. The purpose of this chapter is to summarize selected studies which represent significant contributions to knowledge of the organization and administration of the adult education enterprise. Johnstone (1963) prepared the first of a series of studies sponsored by the National Opinion Research Center about the nature of adult education in America. A probability sample of 13,293 households was drawn; information was obtained from 23,950 adults representing 11,957 of these households. Estimates of national totals were developed from these figures. Activities classified as educational were those in which the main purpose