Strengthening the Alternative Postsecondary Education System: Continuing and Part-Time Study in Massachusetts. Volume 1--Summary Report and Recommendations; Volume 2--Technical Report.

This document presents Parts 1 and 2 of a study of continuing and part-time study in Massachusetts. Part 1, summary report and recommendations, is a review of: criteria for shaping a new public policy for continuing education in Massachusetts, the phenomenon of continuing and part-time postsecondary education, the present system of part-time and continuing education, and recommendations. Recommendations cover strengthening the alternative system, interinstitutional cooperation and coordination, statewide planning coordination and program review, access, finance, institutions of the core and the periphery, organization and management in public and private institutions, organizing and using available educational technology, potential user demand estimation as a basis for planning continuing education, continuing education and the economy, and the role of the proposed Massachusetts open university as part of the alternative postsecondary education system. Part 2, the technical report, presents statistical data and other necessary materials to support the recommendations. (MJM)