Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE)

Adult Education Advisory Council

Adult Basic Education Advisory Council FY26 (SY25-26)

DESE Liaison(s) to the council:
Wyvonne Stevens and Michelle Perry

The charge below is drafted to align with the priorities of the Commissioner:

The Adult Education (AE) Advisory Council advises the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education on matters pertinent to the development, coherence, and impact of adult education in the Commonwealth. To accomplish that goal, the Council will:

  • Advance system coherence across Secondary Schools and Beyond, advising on policies, regulations, and program guidelines that strengthen alignment among adult education, career and technical education, Early College, workforce development, and higher education to support seamless learner pathways.
  • Promote equitable access and improved outcomes for adult learners, providing input on strategies that address persistent opportunity gaps and support populations disproportionately impacted by educational and economic barriers, including multilingual learners, adults with disabilities, justice-involved individuals, and adults with limited digital access.
  • Advise on evidence-based approaches that improve persistence, completion, and post-program outcomes, including credential attainment, postsecondary transition, and workforce advancement, using data, research, and learner experience to inform recommendations.
  • Support high-quality, relevant, and flexible learning models, including integrated education and training, employer-aligned programming, digital and hybrid learning, and community-based partnerships that respond to regional labor market demand.
  • Strengthen adult education system capacity, advising on educator workforce development, instructional quality, program sustainability, and accountability structures that support continuous improvement.
  • Provide additional programmatic recommendations, as it deems necessary, to fulfill the goals established by the Board and align with the Department's Educational Vision and Strategic Objectives.

FY26 Adult Education Advisory Council Meeting Schedule

DateTimeLocationMinutes
November 7th, 20251:00–3:00 p.m.ZoomMichelle.perry@mass.gov
March 27th, 2026*1:00–3:00 p.m.ZoomMichelle.perry@mass.gov
May 15th, 20261:00–3:00 p.m.TBDMichelle.perry@mass.gov

School Year 2025-2026 Advisory Council

Adult Education Advisory Council Meeting
Friday, November 7, 2025, 1:00–3:00 PM

Contact Information

NameTitleEmail
Wyvonne Stevens- CarterDESE Administrator- Associate Commissioner Public Adult Education of MAWyvonne.Stevens-Carter@mass.gov
Toby MaguireDESE Administrator- Associate Director- Public Adult Education of MAToby.Maguire@mass.gov
Michelle PerryDESE Liaison- ACLS Program SpecialistMichelle.Perry@mass.gov
Joselyn Marte, Council ChairSomerville Center for Adult Learning Experience (SCALE)- Adult Education Program Directorjmarte@k12.somerville.ma.us

Related Resources

Contact Information

Wyvonne Stevens-Carter (Pronouns: she/her/hers) Associate Commissioner
Public Adult Education of MA
P:781-338-3835 M:781-605-5096
wyvonne.stevens-carter@mass.gov

Michelle Perry (Pronouns: she, her, hers), Educational Specialist
Public Adult Education of MA
781-338-3803
Michelle.Perry@mass.gov

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Adult and Community Learning Services
Serving pre-K through adult learners
135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149
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Last Updated: February 5, 2026

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