One of the major drawbacks to using workbooks alone is that they do not address local curriculum and instruction needs. Portfolios can be tailor-made to focus on a wide variety of important student outcomes. For example, take a look at the Transition Student Portfolio Model, one of the Promising Practices on the National College Transition Network (NCTN) Web site (www.collegetransition.org and "click" on Promising Practices).

Promising Practice 2, by Pat Fina of the Community Learning Center in Cambridge is created for adult students in the ABE-to-college transition program. The portfolio created during the course becomes the transition "book" and contains copies of key documents, such as the student's college application, acceptance letter, and financial aid form, as well as assignments that demonstrate their math, computer, and writing progress.

While 65 percent of GED examinees are getting the credential in order to pursue further education, only 30-35 percent obtain any postsecondary education. NCTN supports ABE staff, programs, and states in establishing and strengthening ABE-to-college transition services through technical assistance, professional development, collegial sharing, advocacy and increased visibility for this critical sector of the adult basic education system. Visit our Web site for a wide variety of resources and consider joining this free network. Keep college in your students' future.

Cynthia Zafft is the coordinator of the National College Transition Network at the New England Literacy Resource Center located at World Education. She can be reached at: czafft@worlded.org