Evaluation data helps inform decision-makers about the time, human capital, and funding required for professional learning to be effective. Evaluation data also guides program improvement and sets leaders' expectations for ongoing monitoring and accountability. The complexities of the educational systems in which professional learning happens mean…

This paper investigates the methodological discrepancies underlying the measurement of adult learning and education (ALE) participation in the UK by focusing on four major surveys -- APiL, PIAAC, AES, and LFS. Grounded in the Total Survey Error (TSE) framework, we systematically examined the surveys' documentation and compared their definitions,…

This chapter describes examples of Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training-funded innovations that resulted in statewide systemic change, including approaches to accelerate adult credential attainment, new approaches to data collection and analysis, enhanced individualized student support, and stronger industry alignment.

Higher education programs are rapidly transitioning online in support of a broader geographic base, working professionals, and, recently, emergency contingencies such as COVID-19. The flexibility of online courses makes them attractive to adult learners; as such, there is much academic discussion about online learning for adult learners and the…

OpenStax Kinetic is an innovative research infrastructure that aims to transform education and learning research in the digital age. With its access to large sample sizes, authentic learning environments, experimental control, scalability, security and privacy protection, Kinetic provides an unparalleled opportunity for researchers to study the…

The primary purpose of Title 1, Part D programs is to improve the educational outcomes for youth who are categorized as "neglected" (n), "delinquent" (d), or at-risk under the statute. This brief is designed to help State Coordinators, grantees involved in data collection or analyses, and personnel involved in the design of…

In a world where the continual combining of computer applications and the expansion of artificial intelligence is already necessarily changing the world of work for people, an education system that does not adequately respond to these trends and changes will render itself irrelevant. Education policy and regulation may suffer at the hand of such…

These appendices supplement the full report "Linking Adult Education to Workforce Development in 2018-19: Early Implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act at the Local Level. Evaluation Report. NCEE 2023-001r" (ED626771). They provide additional information about the analyses conducted for the report and present…

The pervasive role of digital technologies in adult learning and education (ALE) was a prominent theme throughout the deliberations of the Seventh International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA VII) held June 15-17, 2022 in Morocco. CONFINTEA VII embodied the worldwide interest in digital technologies through the use of a hybrid format…

This technical assistance paper provides policy and guidance to individuals with test administration responsibilities in adult education programs. The Florida assessment policies and guidelines presented in this technical assessment paper are appropriate for state and federal reporting. Therefore, guidance and procedures regarding the selection…

On February 23, 2024, the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor (the Departments) published a final rule in the "Federal Register" (89 FR 13814) that defines the sixth performance indicator--effectiveness in serving employers--as "Retention with the Same Employer" in the second and fourth quarters following a participant's…

Many postsecondary institutions already recognize that adults comprise a significant portion of their student body -- or they may be starting to recognize the potential for serving more adults as they face declining enrollments from their traditional student pipelines. These institutions realize that they should have programs and services in place…

In recent years and especially over the past 12 months, with the COVID-19 pandemic and the unrest after the death of George Floyd, community colleges have been making efforts to view and rethink their missions through an equity lens. These efforts have included turning this prism toward institutional operations like student services, human…

Although educational researchers will acknowledge that they have a moral imperative to avoid harming their participants whilst carrying out research, it does not necessarily mean that they can describe the nature of what this harm might be or how it can be recognised and so avoided. This is particularly important for those working with vulnerable…

Statistics is one of the important branches of mathematics taught in schools, colleges and universities. It is also an important tool in public policy discussions. This paper focuses on the use of statistics in the latter context, rather than its use in adult mathematics education research. I review the key characteristics of the statistical…