Photo: A view of the city of Paris from the top floor of the Pompidou Modern Art Museum.
COMPARATIVE RESEARCH
Adult education and lifelong learning are international phenomena. As the world becomes increasingly globalized and the rate at which technology is evolving continuously speeds up, education that is both lifelong and "lifewide" is becoming necessary to remain relevant in the workforce and experience the richness and vastness of society. The manner in which different nations and cultures manage and adapt to our rapidly changing world provides insight how to improve our own practices. Additionally, it is possible to learn from our differences and similarities and move towards a more equitable world.
The following works focus largely on themes of equity and access, but take an internationally comparative viewpoint.
The following works focus largely on themes of equity and access, but take an internationally comparative viewpoint.
Cumulative Advantage and Labor Market Impact on Adult Education
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the unequal participation in adult learning and education (ALE) in Europe and the United States as it relates to the labor market using the research of Kilpi-Jakonen, De Vilhena, and Blossfeld (2015). Kilpi-Jakonen et al. argue that national and international educational policy’s emphasis on increasing participation in adult learning does not take into consideration social inequalities and thus, increased participation does not benefit adults at a disadvantage. In their research, the authors focus specifically on educational inequality and argue that those with limited prior educational attainment are less likely to participate in ALE. The authors’ main thesis is that there is a “cumulative advantage” to participation, meaning those already skilled or educated are more prone to be targeted for additional learning opportunities. This pattern is reinforced by employers and the labor market where jobs requiring greater knowledge often require continuous education to remain relevant.
Download Cumulative Advantage and Labor Market Impact on Adult Education
Download Cumulative Advantage and Labor Market Impact on Adult Education
An Intergenerational Caste System: Intergenerational Literacy and Social Mobility in Germany and the United States
ABSTRACT: This paper investigates the claim that the United States and Germany have an “educational caste system” and explores how two countries with different educational and social structures could develop a problem of low intergenerational literacy and its consequence, limited social mobility. The paper contrasts Germany’s vocational education system with the United States’ general education system with attention paid to the adaptability necessary to succeed in the 21st century. The Great Gatsby Curve is also discussed as it expresses how levels of income inequality within a nation lead to lower levels of social mobility. Additionally, the concept of cumulative advantage in adult education in Germany and the United States is examined. Ultimately, it is possible to see how two nations with different education systems could arrive at the same problem. The paper concludes that there is a need for more research into adult education trends, more established pathways between adult basic education and vocational education and formal university study, and a general shift in policy to recognize some of the long-term weaknesses of vocational training.
This paper was presented at the American Association of Adult and Continuing Education Commission on International Adult Education Pre-Conference held October 30-November 1, 2017 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Download "An Intergenerational Caste System: Intergenerational Literacy and Social Mobility in Germany and the United States"
This paper was presented at the American Association of Adult and Continuing Education Commission on International Adult Education Pre-Conference held October 30-November 1, 2017 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Download "An Intergenerational Caste System: Intergenerational Literacy and Social Mobility in Germany and the United States"