Helping Adults Persist

Step 2: Reflect on this research and your practice

After reading the article, consider the following:

• Reflect on the definition of persistence used in this study:

Adults staying in programs for as long as they can, engaging in self-directed study when they must drop out of their programs, and returning to a program as soon as the demands of their lives allow

How is this definition similar to or different from your or your program’s definition of persistence? What might this new definition mean for your instruction and your program’s practices?

• Review the four supports to adult student persistence that were identified in the study:
• Awareness of and management of the positive and negative forces that help or hinder persistence
• Building self-efficacy
• Establishment of a goal by the student
• Progress toward reaching a goal

What are some ways that you have helped support the persistence of your students?

Go to Step 3