This project establishes a new researcher-practitioner partnership in the field of adult education, whose aim is to analyze the current state of career pathways implementation across diverse provider systems in high-need, urban environments. The partnership links adult education agencies in Chicago, Houston, and Miami with the Institute for the Study of Adult Literacy and the Goodling Institute for Research in Family Literacy at The Pennsylvania State University.
Evidence-based research in adult education is critical to serve the needs of millions of under-skilled Americans seeking greater skills and opportunities. The project provides a platform for peer institutions in three different cities and states to begin comparing career pathways programming, implementation, and outcomes. This initial two-year study will set the stage for long-term, collaborative research and innovation among partnership members, and with other cities and agencies, while also providing a model for researcher-practitioner partnerships in adult education.
The partnership of cities developed as an outcome of the Adult Education Great Cities Summits, convened by the US Department of Education from 2010 to 2011. These summit meetings sought to spur new thinking that addresses distinct opportunities and challenges for adult education in large cities. For more information, visit Adult Education Great Cities resources here:
This project is funded by the Institute of Education Sciences at the U.S. Department of Education.