This study's purpose was to gain a better understanding of the decisio
n to participate in formal adult education. To this end, a sample of i
ndividuals who were motivated to attend adult education courses was su
rveyed. Some were participants in continuing adult education courses a
t an urban university and others were individuals who called the adult
education program at the same university but never enrolled in a cour
se. The objective of this study was to uncover differences between the
se motivated populations. A comprehensive model including motives and
deterrents was employed as the study framework. A logistic regression
was used to determine what factors do the best at differentiating betw
een the two groups. Contrary to some previous studies, if major change
s occurred in the individuals' lives, they were less likely to enroll.
Knowledge for its own sake and meeting new people were found to be we
ak motivational factors, which increase the odds of nonparticipation.
Cost, as other studies point out, is a major deterrent. Social and ins
titutional factors as well as the availability of substitutes to meet
individual needs appear to influence the decision to participate.