Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2009

The purpose of this state-funded grant program is to enable Massachusetts Community Colleges in coordination with designated Community Adult Learning Centers in their catchment areas to provide programs that transition successfully adult learners into post-secondary education. Adult Basic Education Transition to Community Colleges Programs are defined as follows:

• a system of linkages, resources, services, information, instructional practices, and curricula that supports and assists the transition of adult learners into appropriate community college post-secondary opportunities, including higher level developmental education courses, post-secondary vocational certificate programs, and/or Associate's Degree programs;

• a program design that is based on a cohort model as the most effective way to provide the required services; and

• a program that ensures the full integration and participation of the transitioning students into the college community.

Priorities for this program are to:

• support programs that enable the development and/or continuation of a community college's institutional capacity to enroll and retain former Adult Basic Education (ABE) students;

• strengthen the link between Department-funded Community Adult Learning Centers and community colleges;

• promote and support systemic changes within Community Adult Learning Centers' programs and the community colleges to enable them to develop cooperatively the institutional capacity and infrastructure that ensures students possess the foundation skills and abilities necessary to participate in college life and complete college level certificate or degree courses;

and

• provide support and counseling to ensure that students can function successfully in key areas such as: time management; independent study; and financial awareness at the college community or in other post-secondary education programs.

The program must serve adults who were enrolled previously in Department-funded Community Adult Learning Centers and who meet the following criteria:

• have received a General Educational Development Test credential, an Adult Diploma Programs diploma, or a United States high school credential and have a score of 500 or above on the Massachusetts Adult Proficiency Test (MAPT) for Reading;

or

• have a high school credential diploma or equivalent from a foreign country and have a score of 500 or above on the Massachusetts Adult Proficiency Test (MAPT) for Reading;

and

• have a score of 400 or above on the MAPT for mathematics;

• have a Student Performance level (SPL) of 8 or above on the BEST Plus if a non-native speaker; and

• are able to participate in post-secondary level academic classes conducted in English.

Up to 10 grants may be awarded to state community colleges, to be used for educational and support services for transitioning eligible students into their community college program. Approximately $700,000 will be available to fund the Adult Basic Education Transition to Community Colleges Programs subject to the appropriation of federal and state funds.

Matching Fund Requirements: Applicants must provide a minimum of 20% of the total grant to be used to support realistic program cost requirements including, but not limited to:

• the cost of non-credit/college courses and/or specific instructional services as indicated by participants;

• placement;

• equipment;

• materials;

• supplies; and

• necessary administrative support not covered directly by the funding.

Upon Approval - 6/30/2009

Subsequent Continuation funding for three additional years (ending in 2012) is contingent upon program performance and funding by the Legislature.

Monday, March 31, 2008

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
3rd Floor Conference Rooms
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

Friday, April 11, 2008

Applicants should mail or fax the Letter of Intent to Apply to:

Ruth Derfler
Adult and Community Learning Services
Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02048-5023

Fax: 781-338-3089

Friday, May 9, 2008

Competitive proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m. on the date due.

The following items are required and should be developed by the applicants.

• Appendix A - Organizational chart that shows the relationship between the college departments and the Transition Program within the community college

• Appendix B - Organizational chart that shows the relationship between the Transition Program and the partnering Community Adult Learning Centers

• Appendix C - Current job descriptions of all key staff and resumes, if available

• Appendix D - Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) (See Guidelines - Administration - Memorandum of Agreement.)

Submit 6 complete sets of the proposal, with an original signature of the Community College President (in blue ink) on two sets.

Deliver/Mail to:

Charlene Collins
Adult and Community Learning Services
Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148-5023