Motivational factors influencing participation in further education with a high, medium and low level of education

Gorges J, Hollmann J. Motivationale Faktoren der Weiterbildungsbeteiligung bei hohem, mittlerem und niedrigem Bildungsniveau. Zeitschrift für Erziehungswissenschaft. 2015;18(1 Suppl.):51-69.Ample empirical evidence from within school-settings shows that subjective task value determines task choice such as choosing a major in high school. However, considering further education, an individualE1/4s level of education is the best predictor of participation. Therefore, the present study investigated subjective value of further education as a predictor of participation while accounting for moderating effects of level of education. In addition, affective memories of secondary school were included as precursors of task value. Using latent regression analyses and structural equation modeling, we tested the theoretical model based on data from the Adult Education Survey 2007 for individuals with a low, medium and high level of education and various forms of further education. Results show higher effects of task value on participation for individuals with a low level of education and personal, informal forms of further education. Furthermore, primarily positive affective memories affect an individualE1/4s value of further education. Results support the hypothesized dependency between level of education and determinants of participation in further education. Potential starting points for interventions are discussed