Dropout in Adult Education

Summary

Patterns of attendance and dropout for 395 adult education classes at four centres attached to a college of further education in Yorkshire were investigated for the period 1975‐77. The classes were mainly ‘non‐vocational’ but included a significant number of ‘academic’ classes, i.e. O‐ and A‐level, and RSA classes. The majority lasted two terms, but classes of one term and short six‐week courses were also included. Statistical analysis of the data using an on‐line computer showed several interesting features.

Firstly, there was little overall difference between the patterns for the two years, although the centres had significant differences in their respective dropout rates. Secondly, the type of class significantly affected the dropout rate, academic classes having a much higher rate than the other subject groupings. Thirdly, the day of the week significantly affected the dropout rate, with Monday having the highest, particularly for academic classes. Fourthly, the dropout rate for mixed classes was significantly higher than that of either all‐male or all‐female classes, being nearly twice that of the all‐male classes. Finally, the peak period for dropout was November, with two thirds of the dropouts having left before Christmas.