Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/274063
FEATURE B Y S H E R R Y P O S N I C K - G O O D W I N A DU LT E DUC ATION IS SU F F E R I NG from an identity crisis. It's been the neglected stepchild of public education for years, and it's now on the verge of a comeback. Kind of. Run by K-12 districts, adult ed classes are designed for those over 18, but teens who dropped out may enroll. It's not college, but there are programs on community college campuses. And colleges will soon be playing a much larger overall role. As if that's not confusing enough, adult education programs throughout the state have received both proclamations of death and announcements of rebirth within a single year because of on-again, off-again funding. Depending on who you talk to, adult education is either about to be revamped in a way that ensures its survival — or entering a new state of uncertainty and chaos. B Y S H E R R Y P O S N I C K - G O O D W I N A DU LT E DUC ATION IS SU F F E R I NG A DU LT E DUC ATION IS SU F F E R I NG A DU LT E DUC ATION IS SU F F E R I NG It's been the neglected stepchild of public education for It's been the neglected stepchild of public education for It's been the neglected stepchild of public education for years, and it's now on the verge of a comeback. years, and it's now on the verge of a comeback. years, and it's now on the verge of a comeback. Run by K-12 districts, adult ed classes are designed Run by K-12 districts, adult ed classes are designed Run by K-12 districts, adult ed classes are designed for those over 18, but teens who dropped out may enroll. for those over 18, but teens who dropped out may enroll. for those over 18, but teens who dropped out may enroll. It's not college, but there are programs on community It's not college, but there are programs on community It's not college, but there are programs on community It's not college, but there are programs on community college campuses. And colleges will soon be playing college campuses. And colleges will soon be playing college campuses. And colleges will soon be playing college campuses. And colleges will soon be playing college campuses. And colleges will soon be playing a much larger overall role. As if that's not confusing a much larger overall role. As if that's not confusing a much larger overall role. As if that's not confusing a much larger overall role. As if that's not confusing a much larger overall role. As if that's not confusing a much larger overall role. As if that's not confusing enough, adult education programs throughout the enough, adult education programs throughout the enough, adult education programs throughout the enough, adult education programs throughout the enough, adult education programs throughout the enough, adult education programs throughout the enough, adult education programs throughout the state have received both proclamations of death and state have received both proclamations of death and state have received both proclamations of death and state have received both proclamations of death and state have received both proclamations of death and announcements of rebirth within a single year because announcements of rebirth within a single year because announcements of rebirth within a single year because announcements of rebirth within a single year because announcements of rebirth within a single year because of on-again, off-again funding. of on-again, off-again funding. of on-again, off-again funding. of on-again, off-again funding. Depending on who you talk to, adult education is either Depending on who you talk to, adult education is either Depending on who you talk to, adult education is either about to be revamped in a way that ensures its survival — about to be revamped in a way that ensures its survival — about to be revamped in a way that ensures its survival — or entering a new state of uncertainty and chaos. or entering a new state of uncertainty and chaos. or entering a new state of uncertainty and chaos. Adult education at a crossroads "I do worr y about K-12 adult schools combining with comm unit y college s," s ay s S a m B a r k, Teachers Association of Paramoun t. " The se change s may pit one against the other." www.cta.org 9 M A R C H 2 0 1 4 Educator 03 Mar 2014 v2.1 int.indd 9 3/6/14 5:05 PM