The Adult Basic Education (ABE) program was designed to give adults an opportunity to complete their high school education. ABE is offered at the College of the North Atlantic and at approved Private Training Institutions. Students that are a minimum of one year beyond the school-leaving age, are out of school for at least one year and need six or fewer credits to graduate may transfer credits from the ABE program back to High School, where equivalencies exist.

Over the past few years, significant changes have taken place in the High School curriculum. New programs in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies are currently being implemented. As well a number of courses are no longer offered.  As of September 2003 there will be more courses de-listed from the high school curriculum that currently have “equivalencies” in the ABE system. As these courses are de-listed from the high school system, a transfer from the ABE system to receive credit for these courses is no longer possible.

The courses which now have “equivalencies” that will no longer exist as of September 2003 are:
IC 3112 Writing Skills (Language 3101)
IC 3116 Business Communications (Business Language 3102)
IE 3212 Computer Studies (Micro systems 1100, Computer Applications 2100)

There is some work being done on revising the ABE curriculum to bring it back in line with the current high school curriculum. As this progresses the relevant ABE institutions should be notified.  Listed below are the only courses that have a straight forward “equivalency” transfer from ABE to the high school system. When these are transferred a student receives credit for the course but no mark.

ABE Course	Potential High School Transfer
IC 3220 Canadian Literature	Canadian Literature 2204
IC 3219 NFLD Literature	Folk Literature 3203
IE 3211 Consumer Studies	Consumer Studies 1202
IG 3112 Phys Ed.	Phys. Ed. 1100
IG 3114 Canadian Issues	Canadian Issues 1209
IG 3119 Canadian Law	Canadian Law 2104
IG 3215 Family Studies	Family Living 2200
IS 3213 Physical Science	Physical Science 2205

Although these are the only courses that still meet eligible transfer status, there are cases where students, who need credits other than those specified, can be accommodated. These need to be dealt with on an individual basis and as the high school curriculum continues to change these are becoming increasingly difficult to accommodate.

It is important to note the following:
A concerted effort will be made to accommodate, where possible, students who are eligible to transfer credits back into the High School system (i.e., students who require fewer than 6 credits, are a minimum of one year beyond the school-leaving age, and are out of school for at least one full year).

Institutes offering the ABE program are asked to check with the Manager of High School Certification for consultation on a student by student basis. This is the best way to ensure each student is working on a program that will be eligible for transfer.

With regards to this there are several points to consider:
(i)    Credit will NOT be awarded for courses in which there is now a Public Examination. The relevant ABE course(s) may be completed by eligible students as preparation for the student to write a public examination as a 100% exam. Again it is best to check with the Manager of High School Certification for prior approval for this.

(ii)    Credit will NOT be awarded for a course for which the student already has the equivalent high school course completed. Example: A student who already has credit for Consumer Studies 1202 on his/her transcript, cannot transfer back credit received for IE 3211 Consumer Studies

(iii)   Credit will NOT be awarded for a course that violates the mandatory sequencing, which exists for some High School courses.

Any potential problems with the above noted restrictions can easily be avoided by adhering to a “prior approval” policy. For further information please contact Mr. Bob Gardiner, Manager of High School Certification, Department of Education at (709) 729-6261 or via email at bobgardiner@gov.nl.ca.