Adult Education in the 1980s Emily Echelberry

Society’s views of adult education today is very different than what it was in the 1980s. There are several influencing factors which can include the resources that were available at the time, influencing culture and views on education. It should be recognized that 1980s in the US and many westernized countries in the world was a time of transition, epidemics and economic instability. This greatly impacted Adult education. These factors created opportunity to motivate individuals to pursue education. Adult education is vastly different than other types of education, Adult Education is typically voluntary. Often times adults continue their education to increase job opportunities and to make themselves more marketable to the workforce. Additionally, Adult Education such as Tech and vocational programs are just two types of programs that provide short term school that focuses on a specific trade. Finally, other forms of Adult education are programs such as GED classes, English as a First Language and citizen courses provide practical education to adults. The 1980s was a crucial decade for such programs as there was a push in legislation for funding and higher educational standards. In 1980 a different component Department of Education was introduced that focused specifically on adult education (Dep. Of Education, 2013 ) In the 1980s major attention was focused on unemployment, this led to congress taking action. In 1981 congress focused on strengthening agencies and institutions to prepare young adults for the labor force. In the late 70s going into the 80s the US saw more funding for adult education, in 1980 the United States reached the 100 million dollar mark for Adult Education grants any by 1981 the United Stated had allotted 5 million dollars towards Adult Education for Indochinese immigrants and refugees. (U.S. Department of Education, 1993 ). This was a very pivotal moment for Adult Education as it showed that America was making education a priority for everyone. In 1983 Reagan announced the Adult Literacy Initiative. The goal of this initiative was to prioritize literacy among young adults and develop literacy programs (Department of Education, 2013) .

President Reagan was committed to ensuring that all Americans had opportunities to grow through education. From 1985 to 1987 there was approximately $421 million in state grant funds. During those years, 11.6 million adults were enrolled in Adult Basic Education programs (Department of Education, 2013). Towards the end of t Reagan presidency, Reagan signed two long-term Continuing Resolutions (1986 and 1987) ensuring that the Adult Literacy Act would be continued (Department of Education, 2013 ). Between 1980 -1990 26.7 million adults were enrolled in Adult Education programs. Grants for these programs were approximately 1.1 millions dollars (Department of Education, 2013).

Although the United States was on a mission to improve education and literacy in adults the U.S had major work cut out for them. In 1986 a study conducted by the US government revealed that 1 in 8 Americans over the age of 20 could not read (Department of Education, 2013). A basic literacy test was administer to 3,400 individuals who were randomly selected. The results revealed that 13 percent failed the tested. 20 percent rejected the opportunity to take the test. Which researcher speculated was because individuals were insecure in their literacy abilities. (Department of Education, 2013)The results of this study left many to speculate how bad the problem really was. Was there an illiteracy crisis? It was clear that the School system had failed many young adults which consequently meant that young adults were in need of continued education so that they could successfully join the workforce

Aside from a big push from legislation to increase funding and opportunity for adult education there was also a culture shift that promoted furthering education in adults. Continued education began to be more common in young adults. In The early 1980s unemployment hit an alltime high since the great depression (Department of Education, 2013) this led to a push for educational and economic reforms such as The Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act in 1984 (Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act) . This act was to not only promote education but also to promote economic growth. Ensuring that adults had the opportunities to learn needed skills for the labor force. It was evident at this point the large draw to adult education was to help the economy. Prior to the 1980 there was consistent incline in college enrollment. Shortly after the 80s college enrollment slowed greatly Between the year of 1979 – and 1989 there was only a 17 percent growth in college enrollment as opposed to a 45 increase in college enrollment in the 1970s(U.S. Department of Education, 1993) . Women made up the majority of College enrollment in the 1980s and enrollment of older adult in college remained stable during this time period (Department of Education, 1993). It is very important to understand that 1980s was a very crucial time period for Adult Education. There were many factors that effected the progression of Adult Education. One of the biggest factor was the economic recession that took place during the early 1980s. This high unemployment rate was undeniable which ultimately made congress look at the big picture. Why weren’t Americans employed? This was the catalyst for legislation to make big moves that encouraged adults to continue their education so that they could be consumers in a society that was in economic hardship.

References

Eyre , G. A., Dr., & Pawloski, R. (n.d.). An Amercian Heritage: A Federal Adult Education Legislative History (pp. 1-95) (United States , Department of Education , Adult Education and Literacy ).

Snyder T.D. ( 1993). 120 years of American Education: A Statistical Portrait. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Dept. of Education. Office of Educational Research and Improvement, National Center for Education Statistics. Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act, P.L. 98-524. (1986). Madison, WI: Bureau for Vocational Education.