National College Transition Network

ABE to College Transition: A Resource for ABE and ESOL Teachers and Programs

Student and teacher talking Transition models vary in the way they design the counseling component of the program. Most counselors are responsible for recruitment of students, goal setting and the career exploration process, facilitation of workshops, regular individual educational counseling, and developing or managing a mentoring program for students who have completed the program. The ABE counselor is the lead person in developing and maintaining the relationship with the collaborating college(s). The counselor and the teacher should work together to integrate counseling objectives into the academic component of the program. The counselor should be knowledgeable in the areas that are essential to a student's successful transition into post-secondary education such as:

Financial Aid

Study Skills

Learning Styles

Career Development & Goal Setting

Stress Management

Mentoring

If a counselor does not have a level of expertise in any of these areas, he/she should bring in facilitators to conduct workshops. Some counselors teach the study skills component of the course.

In addition to these important areas, the counselor and the instructor must work together to create an environment where the students feel that college is possible for them. The counselor and the instructor should work to develop ongoing retention strategies for the program.

Top of page