Increasing participation in Army continuing education : eArmyU and effects of possible program changes / Bruce R. Orvis [and others].

Additional Titles: eArmyU and effects of possible program changes
Published: Santa Monica, CA : Rand, 2005.
Physical Description: xxii, 79 pages ; 23 cm
Additional Creators: Orvis, Bruce R., McDonald, Laurie L., 1955-, Raymond, Barbara, Wu, Felicia, Arroyo Center. Manpower and Training Program, Rand Corporation, and United States. Army

Online Version

www.rand.org , Online access

Availability

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Contents

Introduction -- Results -- Recommendations -- Appendix: Focus Group Protocols -- Army Education Survey -- Supplemental Data -- Additional Input from the Education Center Staff Focus Groups -- Informal Cost-Avoidance Analysis.

Summary

The eArmyU continuing education program allows enlisted soldiers to earn college credits while on active duty. This study sought to determine how to make eArmyU available to more individuals while controlling program costs. Historically, the primary cost of eArmyU had been attributed to the laptop computer provided through the program. This study examined the effects of the existing eArmyU program and of removing the laptop or other provisions on outcomes including soldiers' participation in the program, retention, duty performance, and quality of life. Four analytical approaches were used: a pilot test of alternative eArmyU programs, focus groups at pilot test sites, analysis of personnel records of enrollees and nonenrollees in eArmyU, and an educational interest and career plans survey of 8,000 enlisted soldiers. Those especially likely to enroll in eArmyU include: African Americans, females, AFQT Category I-IIIA soldiers, married soldiers, soldiers with dependents, and senior soldiers. The fully funded laptop is an important element underlying soldiers' participation in eArmyU; without it, eArmyU participation rates and the retention benefits of eArmyU are likely to decline significantly. Personnel records indicate that the current eArmyU program is associated with increased retention: eArmyU participants have one year longer to their ETS date than demographically similar nonparticipants and 25 to 30 percent of participants extend or reenlist to participate. Study recommendations include ways to achieve the goals of increasing enlisted access to education opportunities, constraining eArmyU costs, and limiting soldiers' risk of recoupment.

Report Numbers

RAND/MG-293-A

Subject(s)

Other Subject(s)

ISBN

0833037080 (pbk.)

Note

"RAND Arroyo Center."
"The research was conducted within RAND Arroyo Center's Manpower and Training Program"--Pref.

Bibliography Note

Includes bibliographical references (page 79).

Other Forms

Also available on the internet via WWW in PDF format.

Funding Information

Army. DASW01-01-C-0003. AR200 5A14. AR200 1007

Complexity Note

Supersedes RAND/DRR-3254-A.

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