Adult and Community Learning Services (ACLS)

Curriculum and Instruction Policy

The policies listed here may also be found in the FY24-FY28 Massachusetts Policies for Effective Adult Education in Community Adult Learning Centers (CALCs) and Correctional Institutions (AECIs) .

1. Alignment to Standards

Programs offering ABE instruction in Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy (ELA) are required to implement curriculum aligned to the CCRSAE . ABE curriculum and instruction are required to reflect the instructional shifts and align at all levels with the CCRSAE levels A through D–E.

Programs offering ESOL instruction are required to implement curriculum aligned to the Massachusetts English Language Proficiency Standards for Adult Education (MA ELPS). These standards incorporate the CCRSAE for ELA/Literacy and the instructional shifts for ELA and contextualize them within the lens of English language learning.

Note: The Massachusetts English Language Proficiency Standards for Adult Education are the standards to use for English language acquisition. Programs providing mathematics instruction to English language learners should align instruction to the CCRSAE for mathematics and the Standards for Mathematical Practice, so that instruction is reflective of the CCRSAE for Mathematics instructional shifts.

2. Integration of Workforce Preparation and Digital Literacy

WIOA requires that programs integrate workforce preparation activities and digital literacy development at all levels of ABE and ESOL instruction so that students obtain the skills necessary for transitioning to college and careers and obtaining employment that leads to family-sustaining wages.

Workforce preparation is defined as activities, programs, or services designed to help an individual acquire a combination of basic academic skills, critical thinking skills, digital literacy skills, and self-management skills, including competencies in utilizing resources, using information, working with others, understanding systems, and obtaining skills necessary for successful transition into and completion of postsecondary education.

Digital literacy is defined as the skills associated with using technology to enable users to find, evaluate, organize, create, and communicate information. Digital literacy means having the skills you need to live, learn, and work in a society where communication and access to information is increasingly through digital technologies like internet platforms, social media, and mobile devices. The integration of digital literacy into curriculum and instruction is required in order to provide opportunities for students to explore, experiment, and develop expertise using real world applications for digital literacy while building their academic skills. Programs are expected to incorporate a variety of tools and technologies into the classroom to support learning.

3. Integration of Evidence-Based Reading Instruction in ABE

WIOA requires that ABE services include explicit and systematic instruction on the essential components of evidence-based reading instruction (EBRI) to adult learners at all levels. For more information on EBRI, visit the ACLS EBRI webpage and the SABES EBRI page .

4. Integration of Civics Education in ESOL Instruction

WIOA requires that programs integrate civics education into ESOL instruction.

For more information and sample model lessons on how to incorporate civics in ESOL instruction, see the Teaching Skills That Matter Civics Education .

The chart below summarizes all the above curriculum and instruction policies for ABE and ESOL.

Policy ABE Instruction ESOL Instruction
Alignment to CCRSAE N/A
Alignment to MA ELPS N/A
Evidence-Based Reading Instruction N/A
Workforce Preparation Activities
Digital Literacy Integration
Civics Education N/A
Key:
  • = the designated policy applies to either ABE or ESOL
  • N/A = Not aplicable

Last Updated: March 23, 2026

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