I feel like every message, every sentence, in this discussion touches on
important aspect of ASE/ESOL to college transition.  It's hard to figure
out where to start.  Focusing primarily on college placement, there is
good news and bad news all mixed up together.
 
First, the statistics on persistence are discouraging for both
traditional and nontraditional students, especially in community college
where many adult education students begin.  The problem is that adults
are under a lot of pressure to do well from the start and have a hard
time justifying tiers of coursework that doesn't count toward
graduation.  That said, over time, "despite a higher rate of remediation
and more family obligations, low-income adult students [that includes
GED recipients] earn slightly better grades, on average, than
traditional students" (from Low-Income Adults in Profile by Lumina
Foundation).  So, it appears that if adults can make it over the
transition point, they can do well.
 
Second, one developmental education course won't do you in but the type
and amount of developmental education does matter.  "Among students who
were in remedial reading for more than one course, nearly 80% were in
two or more other remedial courses, and less than 9% earned bachelor's
degrees."  (The Kiss of Death?  An Alternative View of College
Remediation" by Adelman.  See
http://www.highereducation.org/crosstalk/ct0798/voices0798-adelman.shtml).
 That said, students who place into developmental reading do best to
take it (it is optional in some colleges) and do go on to be stronger
students.  So, the take-home message here is that the level of
preparation in adult education is key.  (See Research to Practice Brief
at http://www.collegetransition.org/promising/rp2.html)
 
I'll end here but just want to say, there are a lot of folks interested
in this issue.  I run the National College Transition Network
(www.collegetransition.org).  We are a member organization (free for all
interested individuals but focused around the needs of adult educators)
and our website has many resources you might find helpful.
 
Regards,
Cynthia
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cynthia Zafft, Director
National College Transition Network (NCTN)
World Education, Inc.
44 Farnsworth Street
Boston, MA 02210
(617) 482-9485
www.collegetransition.org
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