The Role of Participation in ABE-to-College Transition Programs in Adult Student Postsecondary Enrollment, Persistence, and Success

Download: ATLAS Research BriefATLAS Final Report

Watch: Findings from ATLAS Webinar

The Adult Transitions Longitudinal Study (ATLAS) was an unprecedented longitudinal study of 227 adult students who entered one of 11 ABE-to-College transition programs in fall 2007 or spring 2008. The study followed these students for four years. All of the participating programs were components of larger adult education programs participating in the New England ABE-to-College Transition Project, designed and managed by World Education and funded by the Nellie Mae Education Foundation.

This report provides strong evidence that completing a college transition program is related to positive enrollment, persistence, and college success. Thus, the results provide support ABE-to-College transition programs, when organized with specific components and for individuals with particular characteristics, can effectively support transition to college for adult basic education students.