PERCEPTIONS OF THE CONTINUING EDUCATION UNIT BY PARTICIPANTS ENROLLED IN NON-CREDIT ACTIVITIES

Adult continuing education is the fastest growing and largest segment of higher education in the United States. Early foresight by educational leaders led to the development of the continuing education unit as a uniform measure in 1968.;The data was analyzed using the Analysis of Variance Test (ANOVA) and Duncan's Multiple Range Test. The F Test was used to evaluate the significance of the findings and the .05 level of probability was the basis for considering significant differences in the findings.;A significant difference was found regarding type of employment on the following dependent variables: (1) Health professionals and educators did not perceive continuing education units as important to them economically as business and law enforcement employees. (2) Health professionals believed college credit was more important than continuing education units for educational experiences than did educators, business employees or law enforcement personnel. (3) Health professionals believed that continuing education units should not be required for maintaining employment. (4) When comparing the responses of persons required to attend versus persons not required to attend continuing education activities, a significant difference was found on seven of the ten dependent variables.;Those required to attend continuing education activities felt that: (1) Continuing education units were more important to them personally. (2) Continuing education units were more important to them economically. (3) Continuing education units were more important to them professionally. (4) Having a permanent record of their continuing education units maintained was not as important to them. (5) Receiving a certificate or other form of recognition at the completion of programs was not as important to them. (6) It was more important to their employers that they attend continuing education activities. (7) Continuing education units should not be required for maintaining employment.;This study addressed the perceptions of the continuing education unit by individual participants in non-credit, continuing education activities that awarded continuing education units. The study was conducted during the 1983 spring semester at Eastern Kentucky University through the Division of Special Programs in Richmond, Kentucky. The purpose was to determine if any significant difference in perceptions of the continuing education unit existed. A Likert scale questionnaire was designed, tested for reliability and validity, and administered. The questionnaire was given to 570 participants enrolled in sixteen non-credit, continuing education activities. Five hundred seven elected to participate by completing and returning the questionnaire which provided a return rate of 88.9%.