Resources

Adult learners face a number of challenges in obtaining a postsecondary education. One of these challenges is managing and overcoming personal barriers. To overcome the barriers they face, adult learners need flexible services and accelerated programming, smoother transitions from adult education to credit courses, career navigation and applied learning, and technology upskilling in order to make their academic journey successful and increase their sense of belonging.

This brief describes the types of personal barriers adult learners face, presents how adult education providers use evidence-based strategies to address challenges, and provides the following recommendations for systems and institutions to mitigate barriers for adult learners.

• Provide an array of services that meet the diverse backgrounds and needs
  of adult learners.
• Create a welcoming, supported transition and enrollment process.
• Develop a streamlined transition and enrollment process.
• Provide opportunities for adult learners to test out college.