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Monday, October 06, 2008

What is ABE?

Basic education is an umbrella term that refers to a wide range of services, credit, and non-credit programs designed to help adult learners achieve their goals.  These goals may include:

  1. increasing education and/or and certification levels;
  2. gaining prerequisites for further training or employment;
  3. enhancing life skills, independence and self-sufficiency; or
  4. learning skills in specific areas (such as technological literacy, communication skills, or portfolio development).

 

In Saskatchewan, there are four levels of Adult Basic Education:

Literacy Benchmarks (Levels 1 & 2)

Levels 1 and 2 Literacy Benchmarks reflect the roles adult learners fill in their everyday lives – as family members, community members, and workers. The Benchmarks, therefore, are those general skills, abilities, and attitudes adults need to function in their world. The Circle of Learning is the physical representation of the Benchmarks.

Adult Basic Education Level Three (Adult 10)

Level Three courses (Communications, Social Sciences, Life/Work Studies, Mathematics, and Science) are designed for people who want to build on their knowledge and skills. Learners who complete Level Three successfully go on to further education, training, or employment opportunities.

Adult Secondary Completion (Adult 12)

Level Four includes Adult Secondary Completion and GED (General Educational Development).  Under Adult 12 policy, an adult may attain a Grade 12 standing by completing 7 credit classes successfully.  Information about the GED can be found on the GED Home Page.

ABE Curriculum Redesign

The Basic Education Program Review (1999) suggested the need for change in the way  Adult Basic Education is delivered in Saskatchewan. Three primary recommendations of the review were to 1) increase Adult Basic Education’s connections to employment; 2) increase the retention and success of Aboriginal learners; and 3) develop curriculum in the Adult Basic Education Level Three (Adult 10) program.

ABE Contacts

A list of contacts for Post-Secondary Delivery Organizations providing Adult Basic Education (ABE) programs and services in Saskatchewan.

ABE Transcripts

Information on how to request transcripts for Adult Basic Education (ABE) and General Education Development (GED) programs in Saskatchewan.

Credit Programs

Successful completion of credit programs results in a certificate of standing, which is critical for gaining entrance to technical and trade schools, apprenticeship training, or university.  The knowledge, skills, and attitudes gained in secondary education are important for those who wish to enter or re-enter the labour force, who need retraining, or who wish to advance in a chosen career.
Credit Programs include:

  1. Adult Basic Education Level Three (Adult 10)
  2. Adult Secondary Competion (Adult 12)
  3. General Educational Development (GED)

Non Credit Programs

Non-credit programs are based on the needs of the members of the community and will vary from region to region.  Contact one of the following post-secondary delivery organizations for more information on non-credit opportunities.

ABE Policy & Proceedures

The ABE Policy and Proceedures Manual including the latest forms is available on the ABE Partners website.  This is a password protected site, available only to ABE delivery organizations.  For information on obtaining a password, please contact your organization's ABE administrator or call the Programs Branch at (306) 787-2354.

Related Documents
Intake and Assessment Framework for Basic Education and Related Programs for Adults

The framework supports the efforts of existing organizations within the post-secondary
sector that are working on improving mechanisms to facilitate transitions for individuals
amongst providers of basic education and related programs. Within basic education and
career services, one of the main goals is to ensure appropriate, consistent and effective
referral and placement of individuals in programs.

be_intake_assessment.pdf  ( 870.8 KB )
Related Links
Circle of Learning (Benchmarks)

For literacy workers, learners, and friends who have participated in the Circle of Learning Levels 1 and 2, this document is the realization of a five-year investment in developing a tool for quality literacy programming in Saskatchewan.

ABE Level Three (Adult 10) Curriculum Guides

The five required courses at the Adult 10 level are Communications, Social Sciences, Life/Work Studies, Mathematics and Science. Revised curricula are posted in various formats as well as links to online resources and supplemental documents applicable to the various curricula.

Programs Branch

Programs Branch is responsible for the development and implementation of quality training and employment programs to respond to the basic education, work experience and skill training needs of Saskatchewan adult learners, including employers and workers.


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