ABE-to-College Transitions
Adult Transitions Longitudinal Study (ATLAS)
The ATLAS study is an unprecedented longitudinal study of 227 adult students who entered one of 11 New England ABE-to-College transition programs designed and managed by World Education in the fall of 2007, or the spring of 2008. The study followed these students for four years to determine the impact of the ABE-to-College Transition Project on its participants’ postsecondary academic success, labor market gains, and educational planning for their children.
This study provides strong evidence that attending a college transition program is related to positive enrollment, persistence, and college success. It was conducted by Dr. Cristine Smith at the Center for International Education at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Download: Research Brief [PDF], Final Report [PDF], Webinar Slides [PDF]
New England ABE-to-College Transition Project
Over the seven-year life span of this project, it grew from five to twenty-five programs partnering with over forty postsecondary institutions in all six New England states. The twenty-two programs for which comparable data could be aggregated served a total of 3,740 students, 67% of whom completed the program, with 67% of that group going on to postsecondary education. Most of the 25 programs continue to operate with state and/or private funding.
Implementing the comprehensive “College Prep” model, these programs provided free instruction in academic reading, writing, math, and computer and internet skills to adult learners with traditional or nontraditional high school diplomas to help them access and succeed in college. Also, students developed study skills and received general, educational, and career counseling, as well as assistance with navigating the college admissions and financial aid processes.
Project Director: Sandy Goodman, Director of Career Pathways, National College Transition Network
Funder: Nellie Mae Education Foundation