Copyright© 1999 by School Services of California, Inc.
By The Way. . .
Colleges and University Students Over 40 Years of Age on The Rise.
A recent Sacramento Bee article reported that the demographics on college
campuses are changing with the needs of California's population, and older
adults who have spent years in the work force or raising children are enrolling
in community colleges and four-year colleges. These "re-entry" students are
generally over the age of 40 and are returning to college or entering for
the first time to improve their work skills. College students are no longer
being viewed as the typical 18 to 24 year olds. According to the U.S. Bureau
of Labor Statistics, the average person now changes jobs 8.6 times between
the ages of 18 and 32.
Community colleges have been the most proactive higher educational system to respond to the needs of older adults. Classes are being offered at night, weekends and condensing some into six and nine week programs. The California Community College system received 3.5% in growth funding for the 1999-00 fiscal year. They are requesting 4% for 2000-01 and anticipate that the need will be even greater, due in no small part to the number of older students returning for another bite of the apple.