MassSTEP ABE and MassSTEP ESOL

MassSTEP ABE and MassSTEP ESOL is sponsored by Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Supports partnerships among education providers, training providers, employers, and workforce partners to implement instructional programs for adult learners in high wage/high demand career pathways, including adult basic education and English for Speakers of Other Languages.

FY2027 Fund Codes 0671/0661/359b: MassSTEP ABE and MassSTEP ESOL - Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs Educational Collaboratives Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE Budget Inter-District School Choice School Finance Regulations Chapter 74 Nonresident Tuition FY2027: MassSTEP ABE and MassSTEP ESOL Fund Codes: 0671/0661/359b MassSTEP models offer adults the opportunity to acquire adult education (AE), workforce training (occupational skills training 1 ), and workplace preparation activities simultaneously.

MassSTEP ABE 2 models provide AE concurrently and contextually with workforce preparation activities and workforce training to accelerate learning outcomes, including student attainment of a high school credential, one or more relevant industry-recognized credentials (IRCs), and living wage employment in high-demand occupations.

MassSTEP ESOL 3 models provide ESOL instruction concurrently and contextually with civics education, workforce preparation activities, and workforce training to accelerate learning outcomes, including student attainment of one or more relevant IRCs and living-wage employment in high demand occupations.

These grants are designed for partnerships among education providers, approved workforce training providers, employers, and workforce partners to implement a MassSTEP model. Grants must be developed consistent with Public Law 113-128, Sections 201 through 243 . Priorities are to support applicants that demonstrate: A MassSTEP model that is desirable, feasible, and sustainable.

Career pathway development in priority occupations as shown in the WIOA local plan . A model that includes concurrent and contextualized adult education instruction, workforce preparation activities, civics education (MassSTEP ESOL), and workforce training (requirement). A program design of about 16 weeks or less in length (requirement).

Partnership with one or more local area employers in the occupation that includes, but is not limited to, assistance with job placement (requirement). Student attainment of one or more IRCs (requirement) and a high school credential (MassSTEP ABE requirement). Collaborations with local MassHire Workforce Boards, MassHire Career Centers, and/or State-approved Career Technical Education Chapter 74 (CTE) Programs .

Commitment to delivering a program that adheres to the FY24-FY28 Policies for Effective MassSTEP Programs in Community Adult Learning Centers and Correctional Institutions and MassSTEP Brand Standards and Implementation Guide . This is a continuation grant. All recipients awarded in the FY24 and FY25 Open and Competitive competitions are eligible to apply.

Fund Code 0661: State Line Item 7035-0002 Fund Code 0671 and 359b: Federal CFDA 84. 002 Federal grant funds must adhere to: EDGAR General Fiscal Administration 34 CFR Part 76 The receipt of grant funds is contingent upon the grantee being able to certify that it will comply with the Massachusetts General Laws, including G. L.

c. 40A, § 3A, the MBTA Communities Act. Compliance with the MBTA Communities Act is determined by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.

Funding is subject to state and federal appropriation. Up to $3,061,413 is available for this grant funded program. All dollar amounts listed are estimated/ approximate and are subject to change.

If more funding becomes available, it will be distributed under the same guidelines that appear in this RFP document.

Ascentria Community Services, Inc. $200,000 Boston Public Schools $191,344 Bristol Community College $180,000 Bristol County Sheriff's Office $98,390 Brockton Adult Learning Center $65,000 Cambridge Community Learning Center $100,000 Community Action, Inc. $59,187 Hampden County Sheriff's Office $80,000 Holyoke Community College $195,188 International Institute of New England, Inc. $100,000 Jamaica Plain Community Centers Adult Learning Program $100,000 North Adams Public Schools $89,852 North Shore Community Action Programs, Inc $90,000 North Shore Community College $150,000 Notre Dame Education Center-Lawrence $98,346 Pathways Adult Education & Training, Inc. $100,000 Quincy Community Action Programs, Inc. $143,520 Quinsigamond Community College $239,587 Randolph Community Partnership, Inc. $76,328 Springfield Technical Community College $50,000 University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth $100,000 Valley Opportunity Council $184,560 Worcester Public Schools $86,920 YMCA of Greater Boston $90,000 YMCA of Greater Boston - Woburn $90,000 This RFP is the governing document for these grant funds.

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 under the same guidelines that appear in this RFP document.

Funds must be used in accordance with the FY24-FY28 Policies for Effective MassSTEP Programs in Community Adult Learning Centers and Correctional Institutions to provide services to eligible students; eligible students are: at least 16 years of age; and are not enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school under state law, and do not have a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent and have not acquired an equivalent level of education or are basic skills deficient or are English language learners.

Deliver, manage, and evaluate a multi-year MassSTEP ABE or MassSTEP ESOL program according to the FY24-FY28 Policies for Effective MassSTEP Programs in Community Adult Learning Centers and Correctional Institutions Develop and document contextualized curriculum Implement NRS-required assessments Collect and input student data into the statewide data management system.

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.

Programs may negotiate a higher administrative cost percentage by submitting a written request and rationale with application. 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 your calculated indirect cost rate is less than 8%, than you must use the lower rate for your budget.

If you have an approved negotiated federal indirect cost rate, it must be submitted to DESE. If you do not have an approved indirect cost rate agreement, you 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. Applicants may include indirect cost rates to recover certain business-related expenses necessary to support the proposed services. Please note that indirect costs count as administrative costs.

Local Education Agencies (LEA) may apply the district rate . A non-LEA must reapply to DESE for an FY27 indirect costs rate ( 2 CFR 200. 332 ).

FY27 Non-LEA's Annual Application for Indirect Cost Rates Applicants are required to provide an auditable matching share of 20% of the total amount of the requested grant award. 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 under the same guidelines that appear in this RFP document. Upon Approval (No earlier than 7/1/2026) – 6/30/2027. Pending appropriation and the meeting of grant requirements, awarded grantees may be eligible for continuation grants in Fiscal Year 2028.

Renewals are subject to satisfactory performance, the appropriation of state and federal funds, and the continuance of federal authorizing legislation. Total grant award duration will not exceed two years (initial year plus renewal). Adult and Community Learning Services Thursday, May 28, 2026 by 3:00 PM Proposals must be received at the Department by 3:00 PM Eastern on the date due.

The FY27 0671/0661/359b MassSTEP ABE and MassSTEP ESOL must be submitted in GEM$. Grants for Education Management System (GEM$) Grant Submission at the LEA level requires roles to be established for Grant writer for the specific fund code, LEA fiscal for financial review/approval, and Superintendent/Chief Executive sign off.

All roles should be established prior to the grant due date and all appropriate forms should be either uploaded to GEM$, maintained at the LEA level or sent in to the DESE RFP contact as described on the individual forms. The user guidance documents and forms are found on the GEM$ homepage under DESE Resources. These forms can be accessed without logging in to the system.

1 As defined by WIOA 20 CFR § 681. 540 . 2 Massachusetts has branded its WIOA Integrated Education and Training Programs ( WIOA 34 CFR §463.

35 ) as MassSTEP ABE. 3 Massachusetts has branded its WIOA Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education Programs ( WIOA 34 CFR 463. 70 ) as MassSTEP ESOL.

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