Life-Style Classification of Adult High School Noncompleters

Abstract

High school completion programs have been hampered in their ability to provide educational services to the entire range of their potential clients, and the adult education literature has produced inconclusive findings regarding the nature of client sub-populations and their learning needs. In order to contribute to greater understanding of adult participation patterns related to high school completion programs, this study sought to identify and describe the life-style classifications that exist among adult high school noncompleters, and to analyze the significant differences that exist among the categories. The findings suggest that six broad life-style classifications of noncompleters exist: Entrepreneurs, Superiors, Regulars, Suppliants, Marginals, and Underclass. These classifications successfully differentiate among noncompleters on the basis of both demographic characteristics and attitudinal dispositions.