FY2021: Adult Education Primary Instruction by Volunteers

Fund Code: 287

Purpose:

The purpose of this continuation grant program is to provide access to highly effective adult education services to eligible adults who cannot or will not enroll in class based instructional services at a Community Adult Learning Center.

Priorities:

The priority is to support one statewide stand-alone program that offers volunteer tutoring services to approximately 1,000–1,100 eligible adult students annually in cities and town in the Commonwealth including Gateway cities and that:

1. provides one-on-one adult education instruction through the use of well-trained and well-supported volunteer tutors;

2. for ABE services, uses the College and Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education (CCRSAE) to guide its curriculum and instruction;

3. for ESOL services, uses the Massachusetts English Language Proficiency Standards for Adult Education (MA ELPS) to guide its curriculum and instruction;

4. provides services that are effective in assisting adults to develop the college and career readiness skills needed to successfully transition to higher education and stable jobs that provide a family-sustaining wage; and

5. provides services that are aligned with the strategy and goals identified in the Local Plan Packages.

Eligibility:

FY2021 is the second continuation year of the funding cycle. The recipient awarded funding in the FY2019 open and competitive funding process is eligible to apply.

Funding Type:

State

Funding:

Table 1 — Funding Allocations

Funding is contingent upon availability. All dollar amounts listed are estimated/approximate and are subject to change. If more funding becomes available, it will be distributed in accordance with this RFP document.

Fund Use:

Funds must be used to provide and support adult education instructional services for eligible students who are:

1. at least 16 years of age; and
2. not enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school under state law, and
3. do not have a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent and have not an equivalent level of education or are basic skills deficient or are English language learners.

For this grant program, adult education services will be delivered by well-trained volunteers and include basic skills, pre- adult secondary education, adult secondary education, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), and the integration of digital literacy.

Not less than 95 percent of funds must be spent on adult education direct services and literacy activities; not more than 5 percent may be spent on administrative costs (related to planning, administration, (including carrying out performance accountability requirements), professional development, providing adult education and literacy services in alignment with local workforce plans, carrying out one-stop partner responsibilities, and state approved indirect costs charged to the grant.

The grant recipient may negotiate a higher administrative cost percentage by submitting a written request and rationale with its application. The state will not grant administrative cost requests that exceed 25 percent of grant funds (state requirement).

The Adult Education Services is a restricted rate program that is subject to a statutory "supplement not supplant" restriction. Grantees are required to use a restricted indirect cost rate of 8%, unless the calculated indirect cost rate is less than 8%, in which case the grantee must use the lower rate for its budget. If the grantee has an approved negotiated federal indirect cost rate, it must be submitted to DESE. If the grantee does not have an approved indirect cost rate agreement, it must apply annually to DESE for an approved indirect cost rate. The indirect cost rate is calculated using costs specified in the grantee's indirect cost plan. Those specified costs may not be charged as direct costs to the grant or to any other grant under any circumstances.

Project Duration:

Upon Approval (no earlier than 7/1/2020) through 6/30/2021

Program Unit:

Adult and Community Learning Services (ACLS)

Contact:

Joan LeMarbre

Phone Number:

(781) 338-3842

Date Due:

Friday, June 5, 2020

Required Forms:

Required documents to be submitted through EdGrants:

Part I — General — Program Unit Signature Page — (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants)

Detailed, line item budget narrative (designed by applicant)

Detailed, line item match narrative (designed by applicant)

FY2021 Fund Code 287 Statement of Assurances

General Education Protection Act (GEPA) Form

Required documents to be submitted in the online portal:

 

Part III — Required Program Information (complete in the online portal)

Planned Volunteer Tutors and Tutor-Student Matches Form

Negotiation Admin Cost Form (if applicable)

 

Data Quality Checklist (complete in the online portal)

Submission Instructions:

Submit all required grant materials for EdGrants through the EdGrants Front Office.

In EdGrants, applicants are required to create and name the project. Please use the following naming convention for "Applicant Project Name" in EdGrants:

FY21 FC287 ACLS (applicant's full legal name)

All items listed under the required forms section of this RFP should be uploaded / attached in the Attachments List formlet of the Application Submission in EdGrants. This includes a signed / scanned PDF of Part I / Coversheet with CEO/Superintendent/Executive Director signature. The final budget the applicant is requesting will be entered directly into EdGrants as part of the application submission process.

For Guidance Documents regarding EdGrants, visit EdGrants: User Guides and Information.

Please note: It is up to the applicant to determine who they want to add as EdGrants Front Office users in order to submit grant application as well as payment request information. Please review the EdGrants: User Security Controls to make informed decisions regarding assigning authorized users.

Last Updated: April 23, 2020