- How long will it take me to complete ABE?
- How much does ABE cost?
- Can I get funding to go back to school to complete my ABE?
- Can I use ABE to improve my high school marks?
- Will ABE/GED help me get a job?
- Will ABE help me get into a post-secondary institution?
- Can I get my high school diploma through ABE?
- Who can enroll in ABE?
- What age do you need to be to be accepted in the ABE program?
- When can I start the ABE program?
- Where can I do ABE?
- Can I attend part-time?
- Can I complete ABE online?
- Do I have to attend every day?
- Is ABE offered in evenings or weekends?
- Is there support for learners with disabilities?
- Who teaches ABE?
- Where can I find out more information about ABE?
- How do I get my ABE transcript?
- What is General Education Development (GED)?
- What is Comprehensive Arts & Science (CAS) Transition?
- Where can I find information on English as a Second Language (ESL) and ABE?
- What’s the difference between ABE, GED, and CAS Transition?
- Who do I contact if I have any additional questions regarding ABE or adult literacy?
The ABE programs consist of three levels, and each program takes a different amount of time to complete:
- Level I refers to basic literacy and numeracy skills, and completion is expected within one year of enrollment.
- Level II provides transitional skills similar to grades 7-9, and completion is expected within 6-10 months to enrollment, but many students complete faster.
- Level III corresponds to grades 10-12 and requires the completion of a minimum of 36 credits in order to graduate and receive high school equivalency. To complete all 36 credits takes approximately 72 weeks. One course should be completed, on average, every two weeks.
Not all students start at Level I. If you have received some credits in high school, those courses will get transferred towards the completion of the ABE program, and that will reduce the necessary time to complete the program. If you have not received any credits in high school, the service provider (school) will conduct an assessment to determine which level and which courses you need to complete at the start of your program.
There is no cost to students to attend ABE at community-based organizations.
Students attending ABE at private training institutions are charged daily tuition rates; however, depending on your current circumstances you may be eligible for funding. Make an appointment with the nearest Immigration, Skills and Labour Employment Centre to discuss your options. A list of locations can be found here.
Depending on your current circumstances, you may be eligible for funding. Make an appointment with the nearest Immigration, Skills and Labour Employment Centre to discuss your options. A list of locations can be found here.
Yes. Many students participate in ABE to improve their high school marks for entry into college or university programs.
Attaining a high school-level education improves your chances of getting hired, and increases your earning potential. Both ABE and GED provide an opportunity to achieve a high school equivalency education.
Employers generally consider high school diplomas, ABE diplomas, and GED certificates to be equivalent. However, always check with the employer to see if they accept ABE or GED certification.
Many students participate in ABE to complete credits or improve their high school marks for entry into college or university programs.
Completion of ABE Level III is accepted as part of the entrance requirements for many post-secondary institutions. Always check with the college or university to see if they accept ABE certification, or if there are other requirements such as specific courses/credits or a minimum overall average.
Credits earned in high school will get transferred towards the completion of the ABE program. If a student requires six credits or fewer in Level III, they may be eligible to transfer those credits and obtain a high school diploma instead of an ABE diploma.
An individual must be 19 years of age or older and a resident of Canada (includes Canadian citizens, permanent residents, landed immigrants or individuals with refugee status) to be eligible for ABE. Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Level 5 or higher is also required.
An individual must be 19 years of age or older. A special admission/exemption request may be considered by EDU in extenuating circumstances if an individual is 18 years of age and has not attended school for at least 6 months.
You can start after your application for the ABE program and/or funding has been approved. Most schools have programs starting on a weekly basis.
There are currently 36 approved sites offering ABE throughout the province. A current list of ABE service providers available to the general public by region and community can be found here.
ABE is mostly offered as a full-time program, although some sites can accommodate part-time students. The decision to approve a student for part-time study is made on a case-by-case basis.
Evening classes are also offered at the Discovery Centre in St. John’s. For further information, please contact the Discovery Centre by telephone (toll free) at: 1-877-446-4226.
ABE Level I is available through blended eLearning (consisting of some in-class sessions and online learning) in some regions of the Northern Peninsula of the province. eLearning is offered at the Community Education Network in Port Saunders. For further information, please contact the Community Education Network by telephone at: 1-709-643-5399.
ABE Level II and III are not currently available online in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Students are expected to attend every day. A note is required to explain your absence.
For absences of two days or less per month, students should advise service providers when unable to attend. Unexcused absences of three days or more per month will result in the service provider notifying EDU.
Monthly average attendance below 80 per cent will be investigated. This may result in the requirement for the student to withdraw from the program.
ABE Level II and III are available in the evening at the Discovery Centre in St. John’s. For further information, please contact the Discovery Centre by telephone (toll free) at: 1-877-446-4226.
Currently, no locations are offering ABE classes on weekends.
Students who require alternate format for learning materials should contact the ABE Program Development Specialist. For students who qualify, materials may be accessed from the Alternate Format Materials Library at the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador (AFMNL).
Resources (e.g., assistive learning technology, software, tutoring, etc.) may be available depending on the student’s diagnosed learning disability. Students should check with their assigned funding officer at the local ISL Employment Centre to determine if they qualify for such resources.
For more information, please contact:
Trina Grandy, Program Development Specialist
Telephone: 1-709-729-6828
Email: trinagrandy@gov.nl.ca
A qualified instructor is available to assist students when necessary and to assess that learning has been achieved. Instructors hold a Bachelor of Education and have expertise in one or more core subject areas.
Adult Basic Education is a program designed to help adults obtain a high school equivalence diploma. To determine if ABE is right for you, it is recommended you contact the nearest Immigration Skills and Labour Employment Centre. A list of locations can be found here.
Students requiring a copy of their transcript can obtain this document at no cost by contacting the service provider where they completed their ABE program. Students may also obtain this document for a fee of $30 by contacting EDU. In cases where the service provider is no longer operating, EDUwill print the transcript for $30.
Students requesting their own transcript must provide their full name, date of birth, service provider name and location, plus proof of identification.
For more information, contact:
Trina Grandy, Program Development Specialist
Telephone: 1-709-729-6828
Email: trinagrandy@gov.nl.ca
^ Top of Page
The General Educational Development (GED) test can give you the opportunity to earn a high school diploma. The test measures the general knowledge, ideas and thinking skills normally acquired through high school. Many acquire knowledge and skills through work experience, reading and informal training. The GED meets the minimum academic requirement for most employers and some post-secondary institutions.
Information on GED can be found here: https://www.gov.nl.ca/eecd/ged/
Comprehensive Arts and Science (CAS) Transition is a program of the College of the North Atlantic. CAS Transition is for high school or ABE graduates wanting to improve their general employability skills or to help meet achieve eligible academic requirements of the college program they would like to enter. CAS Transition program can also provides a valuable “refresher” for mature students who have been away from education, training and/or the workforce for some time.
Information on CAS can be found here: https://www.cna.nl.ca/program/cas-transfer-transition
To gain entry into the Adult Basic Education high school equivalency program, individuals whose main language of communication is not English must present a Level 5 Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) certificate. This applies to all residents of Canada (including permanent residents, landed immigrants or persons with refugee status).
For individuals who do not have Level 5 CLB and require ESL training, contact the Association for New Canadians at www.ancnl.ca or 1 (833) 222-0921 (toll-free).
Successful completion of ABE Level III or GED (General Educational Development) is equivalent to a high school diploma.
Individuals who have graduated high school or ABE and want to upgrade courses for admission to post-secondary can use either the ABE program or the Comprehensive Arts & Science (CAS) Transition program offered at College of the North Atlantic.
The following table provides a summary of each program.
| ABE Level III | GED | CAS Transition |
| General or Academic high school equivalency diploma
|
General high school equivalency diploma | |
| Transfer 6 or less credits back to obtain a high school diploma | ||
| Academic upgrading from high school | Academic upgrading from high school | |
| A “refresher” for mature individuals wanting to return to school and/or the workforce. | A “refresher” for mature individuals wanting to return to school and/or the workforce. | |
| Literacy and academic upgrading from current levels | ||
| Academic diploma is good for entry into any post-secondary institution | Good for entry to some one year college based programs | Good for entry into any post-secondary institution |
| Enhances employment opportunities | Enhances employment opportunities | Enhances employment opportunities |
Trina Grandy, Program Development Specialist
Literacy and Institutional Services Division
Department of Education
P.O. Box 8700
St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6
Telephone: 1-709-729-6828
Fax: 1-709-729-6246
Email: trinagrandy@gov.nl.ca
OR
Lauren Power, Program Development Specialist (Education)
Literacy and Institutional Services Division
Department of Education
P.O. Box 8700
St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6
Telephone: 1-709-729-6828
Fax: 1-709-729-2374
Email: laurenpower@gov.nl.ca