2 - EDUCATION

2.1 - Overview and Objectives

Since education is a key determinant of both workforce participation and income level, the report deals with this topic first. Specifically, this section of the report explores in depth the trends that have developed over the 1976-1985 timeframe in education generally, and in the areas of educational attainment an course choice in particular. In addition, the current levels of education among specific sub-groups of women are examined.

The World Plan of Action called for significant improvements for women in the area of education. These have been translated into the following research objectives:

1. To determine whether women's participation in formal education* increased between 1976-1985.

2. To determine whether women's participation in part-time education increased between 1976- 1985.

3. To determine whether women's participation in all fields of study increased between 1976- 1985.

4. To assess the level of educational attainment of women in various age groups.

5. To assess the current "demographics" (age, income, location, etc.) of women who are illiterate (i.e., have less than a Grade 9 education) in order to determine areas of special need for the next decade.

* Community college attendance is sometimes characterized as education, sometimes as training and, sometimes, as a combination of both. For the sake of clarity in presenting data. this report deals with community college enrollment figures in the Education section, while women's share of spaces paid for under the National Training Act is discussed in the Training section. This decision is based on the divisions found in the source data and does not represent any philosophical distinction between the two.