[Adult Education and Literacy]

By

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I am most grateful to my family, friends, and supervisor, without the support of whom, this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I declare that this paper has not been submitted before and is based on my own research carried out after secondary research analysis and a comprehensive primary study.

Abstract

The research aims to understand the post k-12 education for adults covering K-12 material in the context of the individuals who leave secondary education early. These individuals are mostly later on enrolled into the literacy improvement organizations like Joplin NALA to acquire the literacy skills and earn a place in the job market. Joplin NALA is one of those organizations which are providing the language and literacy acumen to the individuals who left secondary education early due to various reasons; this research analyzed those reasons and determined the role of NALA in helping them. The qualitative survey research is employed in the form of structured survey questionnaire. The target samplewere the enrolled adults and the staff members. The data was analyzed through response condign. Literature review facilitated the survey research by comparing and justifying the need for this study. It was found that the main reason for which students drop out of school is the inability to afford education, he learning deficiencies, and the academic challenges. NALA has been meeting all these needs by comprehensively encouraging the adults to improve their basic writing, language and numeracy skills. The strategies of NALA have been effective so far that set an example to further such work in order to improve the literacy among the communities.

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT1

DECLARATION2

ABSTRACT3

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION7

1.1Introduction7

1.2 Rationale8

1.3 Purpose Statement8

1.4 Variables9

1.4.1 Dependent Variable9

1.4.2 Independent Variables9

1.5 Research Questions10

1.6 Research Design10

1.7 Key Concepts10

1.7.1 K-12 Education10

1.7.2 Adult Literacy11

1.7.3 Attrition12

1.8 Limitations of the Study12

1.9 Definitions of Key Terms14

1.10 Summary14

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW16

2.1 Adult Literacy and Learning16

2.1.1 Status and trends in literacy statistics18

2.2 Theories of Learning and Education20

2.2.1 The functional Theory20

2.2.2 The Conflict Theory21

2.2.3 Behaviorism22

2.3 Secondary Education in United States24

2.4 Annual Dropout Rates by Student Group25

Table 1: Annual Dropout Rates, Source: State Superintendent of Public Instruction, (2008)26

2.5 Literacy, Adult Education and International Benchmarks Literacy26

2.6 The Phenomenon of Dropout30

2.7 The “Why” of Student Departure in Light of Scholarly Work32

2.8 Deficiencies in the Students who Leave Education Early34

2.9 The Concept of Returning Learner35

2.10 Theories and Research on Acquiring Secondary Education36

2.11 Promoting Involvement of Students in Higher Education39

2.11.1 Areas of innovation41

2.12 Costs and benefits of completing high school42

2.13 Dropout Prevention43

2.14 Challenges for the Future44

2.14.1 Professional Development44

2.14.2 Motivation of the Students45

2.14.3 The design of knowledge based programs45

2.15 Openness to New Approaches45

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY47

3.1 Introduction47

3.1.1 Research Design47

3.2 Purpose of the Study48

3.3 Variables48

3.3.1 Dependent Variable48

3.3.2 Independent Variables49

3.4 Research Questions49

3.5 Site Description50

3.6 Population Description50

3.7 Sample51

3.8 Instrumentation51

3.8.1 Coding52

3.9 Data Collection52

3.10 Data Analysis53

3.11 Summary54

CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS55

4.1 Questionnaires Results by the Students Enrolled at Joplin NALA56

4.1.1 Respondents Profile56

4.1.2 Types of program that the Students are enrolled in57

4.1.3 Support in terms of social climate of NALA58

4.1.4 Reasons to Leave Secondary Education59

4.1.5 School as a Challenge66

4.1.6 Reliable support System to Assist through ...