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MALDEN – The Baker-Polito Administration today, December 20, announced historic funding amounts to adult education providers, awarding $250 million over the next five years. Adult education services will expand to new programs not currently funded and provide 5,000 total seats for adult basic education students and more than 16,000 for adult English learners.
Over the last five years, the administration has almost doubled state funding to increase access to services and support the launch of new delivery models to provide wider access, including MassLINKS, a statewide virtual academy.
In the first year of funding, Fiscal Year 2024, approximately $48.2 million will be awarded in competitive grants to adult education service providers and an additional $2 million to adult education programs in state correctional institutions. Adult basic education is funded through a combination of state and federal funds, including the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Title II.
“This historic level of funding to adult education service providers across the Commonwealth will open up additional seats for adult learners to gain knowledge and career skills,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “These grants will benefit not only residents, but employers and communities across the Commonwealth.”
Framingham Public Schools will receive $1,693,595, for one program and an additional $200,000 for a program outside the school district.
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Framingham Public Schools and the Framingham Adult ESL Plus program (FAESL) have been awarded a substantial increase in funding for the FY24 year after a rigorous open and competitive grant process, said Framingham Public Schools Supt. Bob Tremblay.
“This funding will provide $1.69 million per year for the next five years to provide classes in Framingham. It also awarded an additional $200,000 to launch evening ESL classes in Milford, to serve Worcester county. The Milford Public Schools and Select Board were partners in preparing this application and eagerly welcome free evening ESL classes in their community,” said Supt Tremblay. “The total combined funding of over $1.89 million is an increase of more than 20% to the current year funding.”
Framingham Adult ESL Plus is one of the largest publicly-funded adult education programs in New England. The program offers English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and preparation classes for High School Equivalency and US Citizenship tests.
Classes are held mornings and evenings, in person and remote. All classes are free of charge to students.
“This funding will be used to continue and expand adult education classes at no cost to area residents; currently, there are ten students waiting for every seat at the program,” said Supt. Tremblay.
In a statement, Framingham Public Schools and the Framingham Adult ESL Plus sad it wanted to express gratitude to those who made this possible:
- The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Adult and Community Learning Services division, and especially its director, Wyonne-Stevens Carter, for their continued support;
- The Massachusetts legislature and the Baker-Polito administration for their steadfast support of adult education;
- Roberta Soolman and the board of the Massachusetts Coalition of Adult Education (MCAE) for their tireless advocacy work for our field;
- The leadership at Framingham Public Schools, for supporting the program for 39 years;
- The leadership at Milford Public Schools, for their partnership in this expansion;
- The staff and students of Framingham Adult ESL Plus for their skill, courage, and passion.
“Supporting adult students with essential foundational education and language skills provides an onramp to college and career options that will prepare adults for innovative jobs growing in the Commonwealth,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito.
The Office of Adult and Community Learning Services (ACLS) within the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) administers the state’s no-cost public adult education system through community adult learning centers and correctional institutions across 16 local workforce development areas in the Commonwealth. ACLS works to ensure every adult in Massachusetts has knowledge, skills, and the support they need to lead a fulfilling life. The office partners with adult education programs to ensure that all students have access to quality instruction, advising, job training and career pathways.
Through partnerships with community adult learning centers, English for speakers of other language (ESOL) providers and family literacy programs, the funds will:
- help eligible individuals obtain knowledge and skills necessary for employment and economic self-sufficiency,
- assist eligible individuals attain a secondary school credential and transition to postsecondary education and training,
- assist immigrants and other individuals who are English learners, and
- help parents gain education and knowledge to become full partners in the educational development of their children.
“The goal is to foster collaborations within communities that enhance student success in higher education and employment,” said Education Secretary James Peyser. “We are very pleased to award this historic level of funding that ensures there are significant resources available to many more adult students across the Commonwealth for years to come.”
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“Adult education is a critical part of Massachusetts’ education system, and it wouldn’t be possible without the many partners who are receiving the grants announced today,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley. “I’m happy to see this financial support extend the reach of these school districts and organizations.”
The following organizations received grants:
| Applicant | Amount |
| North Adams Public Schools | $222,983 |
| Pittsfield Public Schools | $347,830 |
| Berkshire Community College | $334,115 |
| Jewish Vocational Services | $389,124 |
| Jackson Mann | $315,000 |
| Catholic Charities Haitian Multi Service Center | $486,114 |
| East Boston Harborside | $969,000 |
| Charlestown Adult Education | $468,180 |
| Catholic Charities Laboure | $781,810 |
| Mujeres Unidas | $706,500 |
| YMCA Boston | $692,496 |
| Project Hope | $283,416 |
| Bridge Over Troubled Waters | $208,880 |
| International Institute of New England-Boston | $567,000 |
| Julie’s Family Learning Program | $429,287 |
| Jamaica Plain Community Centers-Adult Learning Program | $516,800 |
| Action for Boston Community Development, Inc. | $627,000 |
| Boston Public Schools | $1,071,000 |
| Asian American Civic Association | $446,300 |
| Catholic Charities El Centro | $760,790 |
| Bunker Hill Community College – Boston | $703,670 |
| SER – Jobs for Progress | $339,240 |
| Bristol Community College | $1,928,592 |
| TRA Brockton | $374,194 |
| Brockton Adult Learning Center | $1,150,842 |
| Massasoit Community College | $490,799 |
| Catholic Charities South | $467,586 |
| Cape Cod Community College | $684,400 |
| Martha’s Vineyard Public Schools | $347,300 |
| Framingham Public Schools | $200,234 |
| TRA Worcester | $258,030 |
| Webster Public Schools | $377,757 |
| Worcester Public Schools | $731,719 |
| Quinsigamond Community College | $1,595,752 |
| Center for New Americans | $480,000 |
| International Language Institute of MA | $384,000 |
| The Literacy Project | $653,616 |
| Springfield Public Schools | $210,000 |
| Valley Opportunity Council | $560,148 |
| Springfield Technical Community College | $1,174,200 |
| Holyoke Community College | $1,273,000 |
| Lowell Public Schools | $1,782,000 |
| Northern Essex Community College | $464,466 |
| International Institute of Greater Lawrence | $744,023 |
| Community Action | $460,382 |
| Lawrence Public Schools | $1,358,380 |
| Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, Inc. | $161,501 |
| Notre Dame Lawrence | $730,011 |
| Methuen Public Schools | $569,270 |
| Cambridge Community Learning Center | $1,368,269 |
| Chelsea Public Schools | $615,225 |
| The Immigrant Learning Center | $935,243 |
| Somerville Public Schools | $718,090 |
| Bunker Hill Community College | $1,264,768 |
| YMCA Woburn | $402,774 |
| Hudson Public Schools | $707,201 |
| Blue Hill Region Tech | $682,271 |
| Framingham Public Schools | $1,693,595 |
| Middlesex Community College | $412,500 |
| University of Massachusetts Dartmouth | $1,143,911 |
| New Bedford Public Schools | $969,801 |
| Clinton Public Schools | $414,494 |
| Mount Wachusett Community College | $984,233 |
| Catholic Charities Lynn | $270,953 |
| Pathways Education and Training | $988,000 |
| North Shore Community Action Projects, Inc. | $401,908 |
| North Shore Community College | $503,372 |
| Rockland Regional Adult Learning Center | $182,000 |
| Quincy Community Action Programs, Inc. | $712,848 |
| TRA Quincy Site | $211,214 |
| Plymouth Public Library | $321,263 |
| Randolph Community Partnership, Inc | $352,851 |
| Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center, Inc. | $570,000 |
| Quincy College | $175,000 |
| Total | $48,280,521 |
The following correctional institutions received grants:
| Applicant | Amount |
| Hampshire CHOC | $139,873 |
| Berkshire County Sheriff’s Dept. | $119,281 |
| Bristol County Sheriff’s Department | $262,500 |
| Essex County Sheriff’s Dept. | $567,572 |
| Hampden County Sheriff’s Dept. | $342,000 |
| Suffolk County Sheriff’s Dept. | $220,327 |
| Worcester County Sheriff’s Dept. | $387,473 |
| Total | $2,039,026 |
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In full transparency, portions of this report were part of a press release submitted to SOURCE media
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