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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:  

ApplicantAmount
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:

ApplicantAmount
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

By editor

Susan Petroni is the former editor for SOURCE. She is the founder of the former news site, which as of May 1, 2023, is now a self-publishing community bulletin board. The website no longer has a journalist but a webmaster.