March 18, 2026

Evidence to Action Brief: Supporting Adult Learner Transitions: Unlocking Postsecondary Opportunities

Successful postsecondary transitions can change the life trajectories of adult learners and their families. Providing effective support for adult learners’ transition to postsecondary education has become one of the critical missions for adult education. This evidence-to-action brief is designed to help California adult education programs strengthen their approaches to building coordinated pathways into postsecondary education. It explores the current data environment and its challenges, outlines relevant state legislation on postsecondary transitions, and synthesizes research on promising practices. The brief also features examples from four California adult education consortia that have adopted innovative, successful strategies, offering practical insights and adaptable lessons for the field.

Authors:

Sachiko Ozaki Oates (CALPRO/AIR)
Kathleen Porter (ETCN)
Emma Diaz, Maria E. Lopez, & Pedro F. Gonzalez (IAEC)
Jenée Crayne (NSCCC)
Pang Vangyi (SCAEC)

Type: CALPRO News

AUDIENCE: All teacher types

TOPIC: Administration & Management , Post-Secondary Alignment and PathwaysÂ