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Adult Basic Education (ABE)

• What is ABE?
• ABE Transcripts
• Curriculum Documents
• Complete your ABE at community centres
• Complete your ABE at College of the North Atlantic
• Complete your ABE at private training institutions

Adult Basic Education (ABE) is a provincial program for adult learners and is made up of three levels: Level I refers to basic literacy and roughly equates to K-6; Level II is considered equivalent to grades 7-9; Level III corresponds to grades 10-12 and requires the completion of a minimum of 36 credits in order to graduate.

During 2003 revisions were made to the ABE Level I program including an updated curriculum, new assessment tools, and delivery standards. A number of non-profit community-based centres have contracted with the Department of Advanced Education and Skills to offer the ABE Level I program. Level I is also offered through a limited number of College of the North Atlantic sites and some private training institutions.

Currently, there are graduation profiles named according to the post-secondary or employment routes which they may open for students—Degree and Technical Profile, Business-Related College Profile, General College Profile. These profiles will have the advantage of educating students about their post-secondary options and reinforcing the connection between the ABE program and employment/training prospects. The first three profiles have been implemented effective January 1, 2006.

Employment Insurance (EI) clients being served through Human Resources Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) who have identified their need for basic education as part of their return-to-work action plan may receive support for tuition and such things as child care and transportation. Both HRSDC and the Department of Advanced Education and Skills, in partnership with College of the North Atlantic , and community-based groups support a number of case-managed clients.

For more information on the ABE program, contact the Department of Advanced Education and Skills.