ENROLLMENT TRENDS IN ADULT ESL CLASSES IN WISCONSIN TECHNICAL COLLEGES

Abstract

This study examined enrollment trends in adult English as a Second Language (ESL) programs within the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS), focusing on the six participating colleges, with primary analyses covering 2020–2024 and select pre-2020 data included for historical context. The study assessed the extent to which online and hybrid instructional modalities expanded access for rural learners. Enrollment data disaggregated by ZIP code, academic year, and modality were obtained from participating colleges. Learner residence was classified using Rural–Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) codes (via learner ZIP code)—Urban 1–3, Large Rural 4–6, Small/Isolated 7–10—following the WWAMI RUCA framework and the USDA ERS ZIP-code approximation file (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, 2020; WWAMI Rural Health Research Center, n.d.). Quantitative analyses included descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations, and chi-square tests to assess associations among modality, rurality, and learner demographics; spatial mapping was used to visualize ZIP-level patterns over time (including post-2020 “new-ZIP” participation where applicable). Findings indicate that while urban centers continued to account for most enrollments, rural participation in online and hybrid increased after 2020, with the magnitude modest and varying by college. Colleges serving more Small/Isolated areas showed clearer proportional gains in rural online participation, whereas urban-heavy districts saw proportionally greater growth among urban learners. Distance analyses did not show online learners living farther from campuses; where measured, online learners lived slightly closer on average than in-person learners. These results highlight the role of digital modalities in targeted mitigation of geographic barriers to adult ESL participation, while in-person instruction remains central. The findings provide policy-relevant guidance for program planning, resource allocation, and digital equity initiatives within WTCS and similar regional systems.