March 27, 2020
Dear Program Directors and Education Leaders,
As promised on March 18, I am providing additional guidance related to a number of program delivery topics. Please note that the guidance may be adjusted or modified as circumstances change, and new information becomes available.
During our last State as Partner Special Event webinar I addressed ACLS's response to our current health crisis.
At that time, I shared the following: All adult education programs, including post-secondary and workforce training programs, whether conducted in public school buildings, institutions of higher education, or community-based organizations, shall suspend all normal, in-person instructional and other educational operations effective March 18, 2020 and shall not re-open for normal operations before Monday, April 6, 2020.
This includes locations offering drop-in or one-room-classroom type services.
ABE providers should encourage their students to stay home when they would have been attending ABE programming.
Exception: Corrections — AE programming located within a correctional facility should work with the leadership of that facility to determine the best strategies for student safety. This applies to both the state correctional system and local or county jails.
Organizational leaders and program directors are directed to determine how to maintain the operations of other essential, non-educational services to students and families during the period in which this order is in effect. They are also further directed to consult with stakeholders about how best to provide student access to alternative learning opportunities during this period based on considerations of equity and the availability of resources to support such efforts.
Moving forward our office will send the "On the Desktop" communications regularly from Commissioner Riley. I will send special mailings to the field explaining the impact of policy changes and executive orders apply to our adult education system.
Sincerely,
Wyvonne Stevens-CarterAdult Education State Director
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149
Voice: (781) 338-3000 TTY: (800) 439-2370
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