As the education and skills needed by adults to obtain employment and earn a living wage have increased, community colleges, local educational agencies, and community-based organizations providing adult basic education (ABE) are encouraging learners to enroll in postsecondary courses to enhance their opportunities. Transforming ABE programs to include helping learners make a successful transition to postsecondary education is an iterative process requiring new forms of instruction, enhanced services, and collaborative relationships with other agencies and organizations.

Adults moving from ABE programs into higher education often face considerable challenges. Many need help strengthening their academic skills, as well as developing their study and time management skills. Many need assistance navigating enrollment and financial aid systems and other aspects of college life. In response to these challenges, ABE programs within and outside community colleges have begun more actively to assist adult learners in their transition to postsecondary education.

This paper discusses the challenges ABE programs must address in developing and implementing transition services, provides examples of emerging efforts, and discusses the implications of this transformation for policy and practice.