COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN AN AGING SOCIETY

This article reports on the findings of a recent survey of 1,200 community colleges and technical schools conducted by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the League for Innovation in the Community College. Results show that only about one fourth of the nation's community colleges offer programs specifically designed for older adults, even though older adults are the fastest growing group of 2-year college constituents. Colleges that do offer programs tend to stress recreation, cultural enrichment, financial management, and other subjects traditionally considered appropriate for older adults, and they often do not offer courses and services attuned to the educational needs of current cohorts of older adults. The article concludes with an action agenda for the aging and community college networks.>