Due to the COVID pandemic, college enrollment across the nation and the Commonwealth in Fall 2020 was significantly lower as compared to previous years. The purpose of this targeted grant program is to help mitigate that issue for this year, by providing a foundation of services within Massachusetts community colleges in Summer 2021 for students in the class of 2021 that graduated under the modified competency determination to prepare academically for college level English and mathematics, transition effectively into and ultimately complete postsecondary education.
The priorities of this funding opportunity is to support summer programming in community colleges that:
provide summer instruction in mathematics and/or English (i.e., academic and college-readiness skills) and advising support to ensure that students earning the modified competency determination function successfully in postsecondary education;
provide students earning the modified competency determination access to degree-bearing college credit courses or preparation work at no cost through participation in the summer program and lead towards enrolling in credited mathematics and English coursework in the fall semester; and
successfully enroll and retain class of 2021 students graduating under the modified competency determination;
create clear, effective pathways to degree programs, certificate programs, and/or careers for students upon completion of the program designed to fill in academic gaps for students earning the modified competency determination
DESE is supporting efforts to recruit students earning the modified competency determination for these community college programs. These programs will be offered in 14 community colleges across the Commonwealth. If you have students who would be interested in such programming, we ask that school counselors, administrators, and other adult advocates, please contact the following for more information.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 75 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148-4906
Voice: (781) 338-3000 TTY: (800) 439-2370
Disclaimer: A reference in this website to any specific commercial products, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public and does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.