Adult and Community Learning Services (ACLS)

Notice of Request for Proposals Funded Under the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act

(Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act, Title II)

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (ESE) Office of Adult and Community Learning Services (ACLS) is pleased to announce the availability of four-year grants to offer high quality adult basic education (ABE) services in the sixteen Workforce Development Regions in the Commonwealth. The purpose of these grants is to assist adult students, particularly those with barriers to employment, to progress along educational and career pathways toward economic self-sufficiency. We anticipate that the formal Request for Proposals will be issued in July 2017 with applications due in December 2017.

Eligible agencies must have evidence of demonstrated effectiveness in providing adult education and literacy activities, but are not required to be currently receiving funding from ACLS. Eligible agencies include: local education agencies (school districts); community-based , faith-based, and volunteer literacy organizations; institutions of higher education; public or private nonprofit agencies; libraries; public housing authorities; correctional institutions; and nonprofit institutions including those that have not previously been funded by ESE to provide adult education literacy and services to eligible adults; a consortium or coalition of the agencies, institutions, libraries, or authorities; or a partnership between an employer and an entity described above Applicants must be able to provide evidence of demonstrated effectiveness with a minimum of two years' data documenting gains in literacy skills for adult learners in reading, writing, mathematics and English language acquisition. Evidence must also include student outcomes, such as employment, credential attainment, and/or post-secondary education and training.

It is highly recommended that eligible providers applying for an AEFLA grant participate in Workforce Development Board (WDB) planning in their regions. More information about workforce planning can be found at Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) and Joint Partner Policy Communications.

Interested applicants are invited to attend the 2017 ABE Directors meeting in Devens, Massachusetts on May 23, 2017¹ to learn more about grant priorities. For general information visit ABE Open and Competitive RFP Timeline.

Note: