Q.
How can I help adult learners make transitions through and beyond my program?
A.
Adult learners face many challenges in making transitions through adult education programs into other education programs and work opportunities. A transitional program provides orientation, counseling, and comprehensive services to help higher- level ESL learners proceed to higher education at community colleges and universities. (See Helping Adult English Language Learners Transition into Other Educational Programs.)

Regarding Learner Assessment

Q.
What instruments can I use to assess the English language and literacy levels of learners in my program?
A.
Learner assessments are used in adult basic education (ABE), adult English as a Second Language (ESL), and family literacy programs for many different purposes. Because of these different purposes, programs use a variety of assessment instruments and procedures. For accountability purposes, programs use specific assessments selected by their states and that are in line with federal requirements (e.g., BEST, BEST Plus, and CASAS). (See English Language Assessment Instruments for Adults Learning English and Needs Assessment and Learner Self-Evaluation.)

Q.
What are the requirements of the federal accountability system regarding assessment in adult education programs?
A.
The Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (Title II of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998) requires that each state report learner outcomes in the following areas:
  • Improvements in English language proficiency and literacy, numeracy, and problem solving;
  • Receipt of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent (GED);
  • Placement in postsecondary education and training; and
  • Entry into employment or retention in employment.

See http://www.nrsweb.org for a description of the purposes and structure of the National Reporting System (NRS) and the ESL functioning level descriptors. (See Assessing Adult English Learners.)

Q.
Are there any Spanish language assessments that I can use in my program?
A.
There are a few. Some programs use Spanish language assessments with Spanish speakers to identify students' native language literacy levels and skills that may transfer from the first language to English. Few such tests are designed for use with adults in adult education programs, but some programs use tests designed for use with students in high school and postsecondary programs. No Spanish tests are used for accountability reporting for the U.S. Department of Education's National Reporting System (NRS). (See Spanish Language Assessment Instruments for Adult Spanish Speakers Learning English.)