The promotion of adult functional literacy programs per se, neither creates the necessary motivation for learning, nor enhances the participation of adult learners in work-oriented or socio-cultural functional literacy programs. The task in learning-teaching transaction is to create the enabling environment for harnessing and enhancing…

Influences on premarital education programs include sponsors (predominantly churches) and adult learners' varied ways of participating. A competency-based approach conflicts with student-centered, democratic educational culture. When participation is required, learning outcomes are affected. (SK)

A significant relationship was found between proportion of elderly within the congregation and the pastors' interest in developing specialized ministries to the elderly and in strucutral modifications of the church building. However, no significant differences were found between the proportion of elderly and the actual programs and services to the…

Analysis of responses from 330 African-American participants in church-based adult education identified seven motivational factors. Four were consistent with prior research: spiritual/religious development, love of learning, service, and social interaction. Three added new insights to participation research: familiar cultural setting, support for…

Ninety-two adults with developmental disabilities were interviewed about their church attendance. Fifty-two percent reported they had attended church in the last seven days. Of these attendees, 73 percent attended a Christian church, 94 percent know the name of their church, and 48 percent attended church with a family member. (Contains…

Highlights changes in the Catholic church over the past few decades that have broadened Catholic culture and made it more ambiguous for young Catholics. Describes ways to reach out to youth and involve them in social projects, volunteer ministries, religion teaching, nursing home visits, parish councils, choirs, and liturgical functions. (MAB)

The existence of an Institutional Orientation as a motivation for adult education participation was supported by analysis of data from 90 adult participants in church, community college, and Red Cross educational programs. The church-sponsored group differed significantly in degree of commitment to the institution. (92 references). (SK)

The first part of this paper challenges the traditional dichotomy between formal and informal education. Part two discusses a variety of nonformal education programs in the United States. The concluding section highlights the biases in favor of more affluent youngsters and the national character of much nonformal education. (Author/SJL)