FY2024: High School Equivalency Test Centers

Fund Code: 0850

Purpose:

The purpose of this targeted grant is to assist in the day-to-day operation of High School Equivalency Test Centers (HSE) including, but not limited to, the cost for test administration, special needs, marketing, and technology upgrades.

The priorities for use of these funds must be in the areas of test center materials, technology, and staffing (including special needs) for approved HSE Test Centers only.

Requirements:

Eligible High School Equivalency Test Centers must affirm that they are in compliance with all GED® and HiSET® test center regulations. The state reserves the right to (1) set policies and requirements to support the purpose and intent of the grant and (2) identify and apply state regulations as needed. If used for staffing, a job description is required.

The High School Equivalency funds to be used to:

1. manage high school equivalency testing services to adult students across the state of Massachusetts.

2. deliver a program design which may include paper and computer-based testing

3. serve HSE candidates ages 16 and above (Ages 16 and 17 will provide verification of school withdrawal to the HSE Office)

Eligibility:

Only approved HSE Test Centers are eligible to apply. Refer to Attachment 1 that lists approved HSE Test Centers and funding amounts available for each center

Funding Type:

State Funded Line Item 7035-0002

Funding:

Approximately $269,272 of state funding is available to support the High School Equivalency Test Center services, subject to the appropriation of state funds. See below.

Applicant Name	Amount
Foundation for BCYF	$11,328
Berkshire Community College	$5,544
Bristol Community College	$1,000
Bunker Hill Community College	$7,128
Cape Cod Community College	$4,536
Clinton	$8,016
Lowell Public Schools (Lowell Adult Education)	$11,688
Falmouth PS	$1,000
Wakefield Public Schools/Galvin Middle School	$2,280
Greenfield Community College	$3,240
Holyoke Community College	$4,560
Lawrence Public Schools (Lawrence Adult Education)	$16,440
Martha's Vineyard	$1,000
Massasoit CC	$6,624
Mt. Wachusett CC	$8,064
Nantucket	$1,000
New Bedford Public Schools (New Bedford ALCTR)	$7,680
North Shore CC	$13,896
Northern Essex CC	$5,448
Quincy College	$1,000
Quinsigamond CC	$3,408
Randolph Comm Partnership	$1,000
Roxbury Community College	$7,248
Somerville Public Schools (SCALE)	$5,544
Springfield Public Schools OWL	$14,136
Springfield Tech CC	$11,256
Tech Computers	$17,784
Triangle, Inc.	$11,016
Upper Cape	$1,000
Wellspring House	$4,656
Wellspring Multi Service	$1,000
Worcester	$19,584
Hampden Cty SO	$1,824
Barnstable Cty SO	$2,064
Berkshire Cty HOC	$1,000
Dukes Cty SO	$1,000
Bristol Cty SO	$1,848
Essex Cty SO	$5,304
Franklin Cty HOC	$1,000
Hampshire Cty SO	$1,008
Collaborative for Ed Svc.(DYS)	$2,472
MCC/DOC	$11,808
Middlesex Cty HOC	$2,352
Norfolk Cty SO	$2,256
Plymouth Cty SO	$1,872
Suffolk Cty SO	$5,016
School of Reentry (Boston Pre-Release)	$2,688
Worcester Cty SO	$6,456

This RFP is the governing document for these grant funds.

Funding is contingent upon availability. All dollar amounts listed are estimated/approximate and are subject to change. If more funding is to become available, it will be distributed under the same guideline as listed in the initial RFP document.

Fund Use:

Funds must be used in any or all of the following areas if needed.

• Non-Instructional Materials — testing materials and office supplies/equipment.
• Staffing — for both Regular and Special Accommodation needs
• Marketing — Flyers/Signage Relating to High School Equivalency Test Center Only

Project Duration:

Upon Approval (no earlier than 7/1/2023)* through 6/30/2024
* Grant start date cannot be prior to DESE receiving a substantially approvable Application Submission as directed in this RFP's Submission Instructions. Goods and Services cannot be procured prior to Grants receiving and approving an application submission. Funds cannot exceed the project duration end date.

Program Unit:

Adult and Community Learning Services (ACLS) HSE Unit

Contact:

Michael Farma

Phone Number:

(781) 338-3836

Date Due:

Friday June 23, 2023

Required Forms:

• Part III — Required Program Information: Cover Letter

Submission Instructions:

All required documents to be submitted through GEM$

The FY24 Fund Code 0850 High School Equivalency Test Center grant will be submitted in our new GEM$ system. GEM$ is a cloud-based fiscal and program management grant system that will be taking the place of EdGrants.

Grants for Education Management System (GEM$)

Last Updated: April 24, 2024