The Assessment of Adult Needs; Phase I of Multi-County Assessment of Adult Needs Project (MAP)

In order to assess the felt needs and interests of the local population and business community relative to education and training, a survey was designed and implemented in the four-county area surrounding Waco, Texas. This volume, part one of a three part series documents the work done in developing and conducting the community needs assessment survey; and provides a data base to be used by adult education planners. Primary sampling units of approximately equal population size were developed based on census tract data. Respondents were limited to persons 15 years of age or older, present in the residence, and agreeing to participate in the survey. In order to realize a total of 145 potential clients among the respondents, 750 interviews were planned. Interviewers were trained using the manual appended to this report, and participated in a two-day training workshop. The 89 survey questions generated responses concerning the extent of knowledge about the availability, cost, and entrance requirements of adult education programs, obstacles and inducements to enrollment, interest in specific program types, attitudes toward instruction and classroom practices, effective advertising methods, and attitudes toward adult education and vocational education. The survey instrument is appended, along with tabulated responses by demographic sub-groups. (NHM)