RESEARCH PROPOSAL: OPTIONS TO TRANSITION ABE STUDENTS TO HIGHER EDUCATION Letesha Driskell Colorado State University Department of Education

AREA OF FOCUS Student-centered programs to assist adult basic education students to transition to post-secondary education at higher rates.

PURPOSE Many students who take their GED tests are not continuing on to post-secondary education despite the rewards that come from higher education. The reason for this study is to find out how educators and institutions can better help students transition to post-secondary educational opportunities

RESEARCH QUESTIONS What can educators and institutions do to increase the number of college ready ABE, GED and ESL students to transition into post-secondary education What programs would be useful to transition ABE students into college? What type of programs would students be interested in, to help with their transition to higher education?

BACKGROUND There are many ABE students who intend to continue on past gaining their GED, but they do not continue on Some students have barriers that they are not able to overcome Familial Psychological Preparedness Time Financial

PROGRAMS THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN USE I-BEST GED-Plus ESOL Career Pathways College Preparatory

I-BEST Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training is offered in Washington State Nationally recognized model that quickly boosts students’ literacy and work skills so that students can earn credentials Pairs 2 instructors in the classroom: one to teach professional/technical (job related skills) the other teaches academics including language, math, reading, and writing This model allows for students to begin earning college credit while learning the basics (which doesn’t usually allow for earning college credit)

GED-PLUS Gives students who are interested in post-secondary education everything they need to pass their GED as well as skills necessary to survive in the college environment such as critical thinking skills and algebraic concepts incorporated into the curriculum

ESOL English for Speakers of Other Languages also known as ESL or English as a second language Gives students the skills necessary to thrieve in college as well as has clear benchmarks for admission into transition-level classes Something that is offered in District 11 in Colorado Springs This seems to be very successful

PATHWAYS MODEL Gives students direct access to training for specific career paths For example, child development, construction, manufacturing, and the like Teams up with local employers to train students for specific career paths

COLLEGE PREP Students are taught in a college environment Students are provided with “direct instruction to build academic skills Algebra Reading Critical thinking Meet the needs of adult students Psychosocial Career development

RATIONAL To find out what educators and institutions can do to increase the number of ABE students into college or other post-secondary educational opportunities Find out what ABE students need ad want to achieve their educational goals Find out why students are not taking advantage of continuing their education Barriers that are keeping them from continuing on to higher education

FINDINGS The researcher submitted the proper paperwork to obtain permission to research the student population, but there has been no response from the institutions as of this date. This is the reason that this is presented as a research proposal

CONCLUSION This research can help both students and institutions find the best ways to promote and assist students with their educational goals