Types of Approaches
The approaches ABE programs are using in developing activities to transition learners to postsecondary education can be categorized into three types: awareness and orientation activities, counseling and referral activities, and comprehensive transition programs.
* Awareness and orientation activities more often than not involve the dissemination of information regarding the college admissions and registration processes, financial aid, and college placement examinations. These activity types may possibly help orient learners to the requirements for admission into postsecondary programs, provide them with practice in completing forms, and assist them in obtaining financial and other support. Some of ABE programs, predominantly those in community colleges, work with the admissions and financial aid offices in their institutions to schedule orientation sessions with GED classes as learners near completion of the program. Also ABE staff possibly will arrange for individual meetings between the admissions and financial aid staff and adult learners so that learners can receive personalized attention. In some cases, ABE staff has integrated information about college requirements, forms completion, and financial aid into ABE classes. Such spreading of information about postsecondary application and entrance requirements is considered an initial and crucial process in preparing learners for transitioning to further study.
* Counseling and referral activities for learners who are interested in pursuing postsecondary education can be organized in a variety of ways. The focal point is on offering learners individualized assistance in understanding the requirements for postsecondary participation, determining whether their life's activities make their participation feasible, providing encouragement, and identifying areas in which learners need to strengthen their skills in order to qualify for admission to college. Several ABE programs have integrated these activities into their usual services, while others have established relationships with internal institutional departments, such as community college counseling and tutoring offices, and refer learners to these services. Occasionally ABE programs work with external service providers who offer these types of assistance, to which they refer learners.
* In the complete program model, ABE programs provide a multi-component set of services to prepare learners for entrance into postsecondary education, including orientation, advising, study skills and time management, and academic preparation. These programs are commonly organized as self-contained services that operate over a few weeks. Academic preparation is the critical component in these programs. Their objective is often for assisting learners both in being admitted into postsecondary classes and in completing an entire course.
The structure of these approaches is based on ABE and community college staffs' experience in working with adult learners and in identifying the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to succeed in postsecondary education. Because these approaches are experienced further and data are collected about their effectiveness, the field of adult basic education will have better resources and tools to use in providing effective transition services for adult learners.
| 
