52,108 Adult Student Success Stories
California Council for Adult Education
A total of 1,718,378 Californians participate in adult education classes offered by California school districts according to data released recently by the California Department of Education. This table shows enrollment in the ten state-funded programs mandated by law. Another 210,092 persons are enrolled in fee-based community education classes.
Total Enrollment in Mandated Areas |
|
English as a Second Language |
566,173 |
High School Basic Skills |
234,788 |
Vocational Education |
199,246 |
Older Adults |
158,551 |
Parent Education |
105,613 |
Elementary Basic Skills |
62,053 |
Citizenship |
55,215 |
Handicapped Adults |
54,354 |
Health and Safety |
28,872 |
Home Economics |
21,881 |
GAIN |
21,540 |
Total State Funded Enrollment |
1,508,286 |
Until July 1, 1993, adult education was restricted to programs in place when Proposition 13 became effective in 1978. This report includes data from 99 of the new adult education programs authorized by the 1992 reform legislation. Eleven California counties which did not have adult education previously have established adult education sites in the last three years.
Innovative funding options, learning networks and distance learning programs provide expanded local resources fueled by the needs of immigrants and welfare clients, and more demanding job requirements of employers.
School districts fund innovative programs by reappropriation of up to five percent of their annual adult education funding. In 1995-96, 34 innovative programs served more than 19,000 students in basic education, high school subjects, and English as a Second language. Delivery systems included distance learning and independent study.
Learning networks, are one-stop community resources for clients. Local collaborations and information technology streamline delivery. Four flexible, innovative and responsive components tie education and training; community information service, learner information, integrated data and collaborative planning.
Television and the Internet provide Distance Learning opportunities for adult learners in their homes or other convenient locations. Crossroads Cafe and My America are distance learning programs currently available in California.
52,108 Adult Student Success Stories
California adult schools awarded high school diplomas to 12,897 graduates. Another 39,21 1 adults received GED credentials in the state. Nearly 77 percent of the GED recipients had completed two or more years of high school.
This report includes data from 322 programs operating in 55 of California's 58 counties. Certificated staff total 18,319, and there were also office personnel, instructional aides, tutors, and maintenance employees contributing to the success of adult education in the state.
Full-Time |
Part-Time |
Total |
|
| Teachers | 2,467 |
14,711 |
17,178 |
| Counselors | 185 |
348 |
533 |
| Administrators | 383 |
225 |
608 |
| Total | 3,035 |
15,284 |
18,319 |
Twenty adult education programs in California enroll 48 percent of 1,718,378 students in 322 programs. This report includes fee-based and state-funded adult and concurrent enrollment.
School District |
Adult Enrollment |
Los Angeles Unified, Los Angeles County |
362,533 |
Sweetwater Union, San Diego County |
37,569 |
Grossmont Union, San Diego County |
36,133 |
Montebello Unified, Los Angeles County |
32,850 |
Torrance Unified, Los Angeles County |
29,213 |
Mt. Diablo Unified, Contra Costa County |
27,466 |
Oakland Unified, Alameda County |
26,927 |
East Side Union, Santa Clara County |
26,775 |
Salinas Union, Monterey County |
24,427 |
El Monte Union, Los Angeles County |
23,757 |
Redondo Beach Unified, Los Angeles County |
22,737 |
Visalia Joint Union, Tulare County |
22,297 |
Compton Unified, Los Angeles County |
22,241 |
Mtn. View-Los Altos Union, Santa Clara County |
20,394 |
San Lorenzo Unified, Alameda County |
20,242 |
Cloves Unified, Fresno County |
20,103 |
While California grows to 39.6 million persons by 2020, the population over 18 will increase 75 percent and those over age 25 will increase 90 percent.
The over-65 age group will increase to 14.4 percent of the total, and only 34.9 percent will be under 25. The average age will rise from 31 to 44 years.
Educational services, such as health, exercise, and preventive medicine courses will be needed for an aging and older population. Increasing health and longevity will require ongoing skill development, vocational retraining and career-change guidance.
Immigration from other countries will account for most population growth, and immigrants will comprise 59 percent of the population by 2020. Problems with learning English and the literacy level of immigrants are major causes of basic educational deficiency.
The number of Californians with significant literacy performance deficiencies is projected to grow to 5.8 million persons in 2020, 18.6 percent of those over 14.
Generally this group consists of dropouts from high school and persons who do not complete the eighth grade.
Skills required for jobs in the future will be higher than those required today. Service and information occupations will replace manufacturing as the major employment category, and 13.5 years of education will be required by 2000, compared to 12.8 years in 1984. By 2000, 41 percent of jobs will be higher-skilled occupations, and lower-skilled workers will qualify for only 27 percent of available jobs.
Adults will have to continually update their skills. Some may require major retraining. Others will use educational services such as career education, job search methods, and targeted job training based on individual assessment
Sources used for this publication: Adult Education Enrollment in California Public School Districts and Adult Education Graduates and Staff in California Public School Districts for 1995-96, California Department of Education Demographics Unit. The General Educational Development Office provided GED test information. Statistical projections were taken from two reports issued by the CDE Adult Education Unit Adult Education 2000 Project: Summary Report, Adult Education for the 21st Century, 1989, and Adult Education Needs for A Changing State, 1988.
California Council for Adult Education
Since its founding in 1944, the California Council for Adult Education has been the only organization to devote itself exclusively to the maintenance and advancement of adult education in California.
Individual members include teachers (69%), administrators and counselors (12%); retirees, students and others (19%). The 120 institutional members include adult programs and schools, school districts, and businesses.
The major focuses of CCAE are legislative advocacy, governmental oversight, and in-service professional development of adult education teachers.
information about CCAE programs and membership is available from the State Office. Chapters are located at many adult schools, and six section organizations serve all California counties.