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The report also identifies policy challenges and bright spots, and outlines actionable recommendations for state policymakers.",{"@graph":14,"@context":73},[15,34,56],{"@type":16,"itemListElement":17},"BreadcrumbList",[18,23,27,31],{"item":19,"name":20,"@type":21,"position":22},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",1,{"item":24,"name":25,"@type":21,"position":26},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/","Document",2,{"item":28,"name":29,"@type":21,"position":30},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/research-report/","Research & Report",3,{"item":32,"name":10,"@type":21,"position":33},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/age-is-just-a-number-state-policy-approaches-to-supporting-older-adult-learning/584104/",4,{"url":32,"name":10,"@type":35,"image":36,"author":41,"headline":10,"publisher":44,"fileFormat":47,"inLanguage":8,"description":12,"dateModified":48,"datePublished":49,"encodingFormat":47,"isAccessibleForFree":50,"interactionStatistic":51},"DigitalDocument",{"url":37,"@type":38,"width":39,"height":40},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/age-is-just-a-number-state-policy-approaches-to-supporting-older-adult-learning/584104.png","ImageObject",300,407,{"name":42,"@type":43},"\tCallum ","Person",{"url":19,"name":45,"@type":46},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-29","2026-10-15",true,{"@type":52,"interactionType":53,"userInteractionCount":55},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":54},"ViewAction",5,{"@type":57,"mainEntity":58},"FAQPage",[59,65,69],{"name":60,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":62},"What does the report focus on regarding older adult learners?","Question",{"text":63,"@type":64},"It examines the current state of older adult learners in postsecondary education, detailing their challenges and highlighting policy challenges and bright spots.","Answer",{"name":66,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":67},"What financial barrier do older students commonly face?",{"text":68,"@type":64},"They may have limited eligibility for traditional financial aid programs and must also cover additional costs such as books, supplies, and transportation.",{"name":70,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":71},"How do time constraints affect adult learning?",{"text":72,"@type":64},"Many adults feel pressure to complete education quickly, and limited availability of flexible or online options can make it hard to balance study with work and other demands.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":32,"og:type":75,"og:title":10,"og:site_name":45,"og:description":12},"article",{"robots":77,"canonical":32},"index,follow",{"doc_id":79,"site_id":7},584104,1792211358,{"code":4,"msg":82,"data":83},"success",[84,88,92,96,100,105,110,114,119,122,126],{"id":22,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":85,"show_sort_weight":86,"slug":87},"Story & Novel",90,"story-novel",{"id":26,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":89,"show_sort_weight":90,"slug":91},"Literature",80,"literature",{"id":33,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":93,"show_sort_weight":94,"slug":95},"Exam",70,"exam",{"id":55,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":97,"show_sort_weight":98,"slug":99},"Comic",60,"comic",{"id":101,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":102,"show_sort_weight":103,"slug":104},6,"Technology",50,"technology",{"id":106,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":107,"show_sort_weight":108,"slug":109},7,"Healthcare",40,"healthcare",{"id":111,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":29,"show_sort_weight":112,"slug":113},8,30,"research-report",{"id":115,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":116,"show_sort_weight":117,"slug":118},9,"Religion & Spirituality",20,"religion-spirituality",{"id":117,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":120,"show_sort_weight":117,"slug":121},"World Cup","world-cup",{"id":123,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":124,"show_sort_weight":123,"slug":125},10,"Lifestyle","lifestyle",{"id":127,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":128,"show_sort_weight":55,"slug":129},19,"General","general",{"code":4,"msg":82,"data":131},{"doc_id":79,"user_id":132,"nickname":42,"user_avatar":133,"doc_module":4,"category_id":111,"category_name":29,"doc_title":10,"doc_description":12,"doc_content":134,"file_id":135,"file_url":136,"file_type":137,"file_size":138,"view_count":55,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":22,"is_downloadable":22,"audit_status":22,"page_count":111,"language":139,"language_code":8,"site_id":7,"html_lang":8,"table_of_contents":140,"faqs":141,"seo_title":142,"seo_description":12,"update_tm":143,"read_time":117,"preview_page_count":4},137451211410,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/avatar/2000bb0a9246f588df?x-image-process=image/resize,m_fixed,w_180,h_180&k=1786362646172706240","FEBRUARY 2025  \nAge is Just a Number:  \nState Policy Approaches to  \nSupporting Older Adult Learning  \n[cael.org](cael.org)  \nSCAN FOR QUICKER ACCESS  \nThis report was made possible with support from AARP. The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent official AARP policy.  \nRecognizing that adult learners are the backbone of the U.S. economy, CAEL helps forge a clear, viable connection between education and career success, providing solutions that promote sustainable and equitable economic growth. CAEL opens doors to opportunity in collaboration with workforce and economic developers; postsecondary educators; employers and industry groups; and foundations and other mission-aligned organizations. By engaging with these stakeholders, CAEL fosters a culture of innovative, lifelong learning that helps individuals and their communities thrive. A national membership organization established in 1974, CAEL is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Workplace™ certified and is a part of Strada Collaborative, a mission-driven nonprofit. Learn more at [cael.org](cael.org) and [stradacollaborative.org](stradacollaborative.org).  \n© 2025 CAEL. All rights reserved. (005-25 _ 02/25)  \nAge is Just a Number: State Policy Approaches to Supporting Older Adult Learning  \nIn recent years, the push to recognize adults as an important segment of those seeking postsecondary education and training has gained traction. Through setting credential attainment goals, many states realized they needed to make a concerted effort to engage or re-engage adults in postsecondary education in order to reach those goals and meet labor market demands. However, numerous systemic barriers still hinder adults’ ability to access and succeed in postsecondary education. For older adults, these challenges become even more nuanced as they are often seeking quick and career-oriented upskilling. Addressing these obstacles is critical not only for learners themselves but also for broader societal and economic benefits.  \nThis brief examines the current state of older adult learners in postsecondary education, delving into the challenges they face and highlighting policy challenges and bright spots. It also highlights the profound benefits of enhanced educational access for older adults and provides actionable recommendations for state policymakers.  \nCurrent Landscape of Adults in Postsecondary Education  \nAccording to recent data, roughly 30% of the “some college, no degree”population are aged 45–64, making up over 11 million people. Reenrollment rates, understandably, decline as age goes up.1 While some of this may well be due to lack of need or desire to return to school, there are  \nother valid reasons that older adults would be interested in reskilling or upskilling. These range from the desire to stay competitive in the workforce and learn a new skill, to the necessity to stay employed due to a lack of retirement savings. According to a 2018 report from the Georgetown  \nUniversity Center for Retirement Initiatives,“about 55 percent of households ages 55–64 had less than $25,000 in retirement savings and 41 percent had zero.”2 And because of this lack of retirement savings, many will find necessity in upskilling and remaining in the workforce.  \nHowever, adults at large often face significant barriers that hinder their progress in achieving these goals. Older adults have specific barriers they must often contend with as well. These barriers include financial and time constraints, professional and personal responsibilities, unclear outcomes or career paths, and punitive barriers from past interactions with higher education institutions.  \n1 [https://nscresearchcenter.org/some-college-no-credential-dashboard/](https://nscresearchcenter.org/some-college-no-credential-dashboard/)  \n2 [https://cri.georgetown.edu/the-aging-of-america-a-changing-picture-of-work-and-retirement/\\#:](https://cri.georgetown.edu/the-aging-of-ameri","cbCaiqrxaCceSKkI","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaiqrxaCceSKkI","pdf",2656842,"English","# Current Landscape of Adults in Postsecondary Education\n# Barriers to Postsecondary Education for Older Adults\n## Financial Constraints\n## Time Constraints\n## Professional and Personal Responsibilities\n## Unclear Outcomes or Career Paths","[{\"question\":\"What does the report focus on regarding older adult learners?\",\"answer\":\"It examines the current state of older adult learners in postsecondary education, detailing their challenges and highlighting policy challenges and bright spots.\"},{\"question\":\"What financial barrier do older students commonly face?\",\"answer\":\"They may have limited eligibility for traditional financial aid programs and must also cover additional costs such as books, supplies, and transportation.\"},{\"question\":\"How do time constraints affect adult learning?\",\"answer\":\"Many adults feel pressure to complete education quickly, and limited availability of flexible or online options can make it hard to balance study with work and other demands.\"}]","Age is Just a Number - State Policy Approaches to Supporting Older Adult Learning | PDF",1792049788]