Table 5-7: Distribution of ABE Programs by Minimum Entry Age
  
  Minimum Entry Age % of Programs  
  15 years 4.3%
   16 years 7.6%   
   17 years 15.2%   
   18 years 17.4%   
   19 years 2.2%   
   20 years 1.1%   
   21 years ----   
   Any age 52.2%   

5.2.8. Method of Student Recruitment

Providers were asked to describe how their programs recruit students. Multiple responses (253) were given. The most frequently used method is through a network of community agencies (see Table 5-8). The interorganizational relations involved are not specified nor is the congruence between the values of the referring agencies and those of the ABE providers.

Table 5-8: Distribution of Responses about Methods of Student Recruitment
(N=253)

  
   Method of Recruitment % of Programs   
Agency Referrals 26.1 %
   Newspapers 21.7%   
   Word-of-mouth 13.0%   
   Catalogue/Program Calendar 11.1 %   
   Flyers 11.1%   
   Television 10.3%   
   Radio 4.0%   
   All of the above 1.2%   
   No active recruitment 1.6%   

Over forty-three percent of the providers described the major recruitment method as being in the print mode: newspapers (21.7%), program calendar (11.1%) and flyers (11.1%) Providers should study this aspect of ABE programs in relation to the low attendance rate of under-educated adults in Canada (2.4%). Clearly, their major recruitment method, with its heavy reliance on the skill of reading and the use of print materials, is ineffective. Student responses about how they learned of the program (see Chapter 4) indicate that interpersonal connections and referrals from social and government agencies are the most important sources of information.


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