Overall, students gave very high ratings of their classroom experiences. Virtually all (94.2%) were mostly or usually comfortable in the classroom. Pedagogic aspects were rated highly, with over 80% of the respondents being mostly or usually satisfied with course content, program materials, testing schedule, instructors' explanations, and amount of homework. About 70% said they mostly or usually participated in class discussions and were able to work at their own pace. Fewer than half said their class included group work.

The students felt the course content was appropriate. Only 10% felt the course was mostly or usually too easy, and less than 10% thought it was too difficult. Overall, about 80% of the respondents felt they were making good progress.

Chart - Experience in the classroom

Experience in the classroom (%)
Mostly/ Usually Some/ Seldom n
Comfort in the classroom
Comfort with number of tests
Satisfactory explanations
Liked program materials
Appropriate amount h/work
Interesting course content
Felt making good progress
Participation in class discns.
Work at own pace
Class included group work
Course was too easy
Course was too hard
94.2 5.8 1550
87.9 12.1 1535
86.7 13.3 1538
83.9 16.1 1520
83.5 16.5 1532
83.3 16.2 1529
80.9 19.1 1519
73.8 26.2 1537
68.8 31.2 1523
43.3 56.7 1522
10.7 89.3 1193
8.1 91.9 1517

3.2.3 Student life

Respondents were also asked about personal problems experienced while enrolled in an ABE course. Once again, for ease of understanding, the four-point response scale has been collapsed into two categories: "Mostly/ Usually" and "Sometimes/ Seldom". Responses of N/A were combined with the "Sometimes/Seldom" category.

The most encountered problems concerned balancing household and family responsibilities while attending school; this was mostly or usually a problem for about one-third (34.8% and 27.1%) of the respondents. Also, about one-quarter (24.6%) reported that finances were mostly or usually a problem. Balancing home and school also appeared for almost one-quarter (22.4%) who reported mostly or usually having problems finding a quiet place at home to study.

Fear of not succeeding was a frequent problem for about one in eight (12.3%) respondents. Transportation was also mostly or usually a problem for one in eight (12.0%) respondents. Most respondents had spousal/family support, with only 10% reporting the lack of such support as a usual problem. Other less frequently reported problems (reported by fewer than 10% of respondents) were: working while attending classes, personal health concerns, making friends in ABE/ College Prep, and childcare arrangements.

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