SECTION 1: THE SYSTEM FOR ADULT BASIC ... - SABES

APPENDIX-A
COMMON ABBREVIATIONS
IN ADULT EDUCATION
AAACE: The American Association for Adult and Continuing Education provides leadership for
the field of adult and continuing education by expanding opportunities for adult growth and
development.
ABE: Adult Basic Education an umbrella term used to describe a range of educational services
for adults from basic literacy (including English for non-native speakers of English), numeracy,
and high school equivalency (GED)/adult diploma programs (ADP), and ASE.
ABE Teacher's License: A voluntary license for MA adult literacy teachers.
ABLE: Adult Basic Learning Exam
ACLS: Adult and Community Learning Services is a unit at the MA Department of Elementary
and Secondary Education (DESE) that oversees and improves no-cost basic educational
services (ABE) for adults in Massachusetts. ACLS funds programs in Massachusetts to provide
educational services to adults with academic skill levels below 12th grade, and/or adults who
need English language skills to succeed in our communities.
ADA: The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination and ensures equal
opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, state and local government services,
public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation.
ADP/EDP: The Adult Diploma Program/External Diploma Program is designed for individuals at
least 18 years old who have acceptable basic skills in reading, writing and math. The ADP
provides an alternative way of earning a high school diploma. To earn a high school diploma, a
student completes assignments and demonstrates general life skills in the following areas:
Community Awareness, Personal and Family Health, Occupational Preparedness, Personal and
Social Awareness, Consumer Awareness, Individual Skill Area. Credit may also be given for
program specific areas such as history, high school math and/or employment and training.
Adult Literacy Hotline: The Massachusetts Adult Literacy Hotline provides referrals to
programs that offer one-on-one tutoring, small group or classroom instruction to adult learners.
Callers will receive information about basic reading, math, adult basic education, English
language training, family literacy, GED preparation or testing sites. The Hotline can help adult
learners and volunteer literacy tutors locate the most convenient programs and GED testing
sites across the state.
Western Massachusetts Profiles of Regional Adult Literacy Programs, summer 2009 edition 181