Adult Education--A Polemic. [Reprint].

Overview & Synopsis

This paper, published in 1959, addresses adult education for blacks. Six categories of vocational, remedial, and continuing needs of blacks are identified: (1) rights, privileges, and obligations of citizenship; (2) economic competence; (3) adjustment to rapid social change; (4) attitude changes and self-image; (5) higher levels of basic literacies; and (6) leadership development. Forces that inhibit the development of adult education programs are described: adherence to academic tradition, narrowness of perspective about the social responsibility of schools, social unrest, lack of leaders, inadequate financial resources, and cultural isolation. Positive forces are also discussed: a general increase in educational level, increased mobility, a changed atmosphere in the South, and research relevant to blacks. The initiatives of the Center for the Study of Liberal Education for Adults in support of black education are mentioned. The paper concludes that much work remains to be done to bring blacks into the mainstream of adult education. (SK)