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A
Client-Centered Perspective
This study has important implications for improved service
delivery to adult education and literacy clients throughout Kentucky.
Our focus on client perspectives was intentional from the beginning of
the project and was emphasized by the research methodology and design.
In-depth interviews conducted with eighty-four undereducated adults from
seven sites across the state provided ample information about educational needs
and goals from clients’ perspectives. To
briefly summarize our primary findings, this study revealed that:
School leaving issues, learning
problems, health concerns, economic
hardships, and extensive work and family obligations
further complicated the educational decisions of study participants.
This study demonstrates that, in order to serve undereducated adults
throughout the state, it is imperative that adult education programs are
responsive to client viewpoints. Thus,
the recommendations that emerged from this study are based on a client-centered
perspective.
Our recommendations fall into two broad categories.
First, we make recommendations for improved service provision from a
client-centered perspective that includes a plan for additional training of
adult education service providers and a strategic marketing plan for recruitment
and retention of adult education students.
Second, we make recommendations for further study in the adult education
field that include re-examining curricular issues, exploring alternative
pathways to credentialing, and investigating patterns of media consumption.  
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