Primary Instruction by Volunteers Grant

Primary Instruction by Volunteers Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Amount: Up to US $500,000
Last Updated: October 01, 2025

Summary

The Primary Instruction by Volunteers Grant aims to enhance adult basic education services for eligible adults unable to enroll in traditional classes. With a funding pool of approximately $500,000, the program targets around 1,000 adult learners annually, focusing on effective one-on-one tutoring by trained volunteers. Priorities include curriculum alignment with educational standards, building college and career readiness skills, and ensuring compliance with funding regulations. This initiative is designed to provide vital educational opportunities and support for adult learners across the Commonwealth.

Overview

Purpose The purpose of this Competitive grant program is to provide access to highly effective adult basic 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 standalone program that offers volunteer tutoring services annually to approximately 1,000 eligible adult students in cities and town in the Commonwealth including Gateway cities and that: demonstrates past effectiveness in providing one-on-one academic instruction for ABE or ESOL students;provides one-on-one adult basic education instruction through the use of well-trained and well-supported volunteer tutors;for ABE services, ensures the program implements a curriculum that is aligned with the College and Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education (CCRSAE)for ESOL services, ensures that the program implements a curriculum that is aligned with the standards and benchmarks of the Massachusetts English Language Proficiency Standards for Adult Education (MA ELPS) and the standards of the College and Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education (CCRSAE) at all levels;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; andProvides services that are aligned with the strategy and goals identified in the Local Workforce Development Plan Package. Funding The total allocation available for one statewide primary instruction by volunteers' program is approximately $500,000. Funds are contingent upon satisfactory performance, the appropriation of state and federal funds, and the continuance of federal authorizing legislation. Funding is contingent upon availability. All dollar amounts listed are estimated/approximate and are subject to change. Fund Use Funds must be used to provide Adult Basic Education instructional services, delivered by well-trained volunteers, including basic skills, pre-adult secondary education, adult secondary education, and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Personnel costs may include paid staff time for: recruitment; volunteer/student orientation; volunteer training and ongoing support; required and ongoing assessment of student progress; establishing and maintaining tutor/student matches; advising; follow-up; referral; professional development data collection/entry; and administration. A portion of the funds may be used to support non-personnel related costs. As defined by the Code of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR §463.25 and §463.26, not less than 95 percent of funds must be spent on adult education direct services and literacy activities. If awarded, programs may negotiate on an individual basis with DESE to determine an adequate level of funds for non-instructional purposes by submitting a written request and rationale annually with their continuation applications. Administrative costs must be reasonable, necessary, and allocable. Adult Education and Family Literacy Services is a restricted rate program that is subject to a statutory "supplement not supplant" restriction. For this competition, applicants may include indirect cost rates to recover certain business-related expenses necessary to support the proposed services. Local Education Agencies (LEA) may apply their district rate.A non-LEA that has a current federally approved restricted indirect cost rate may use that rate.A non-LEA that has an FY22 approved indirect cost rate may use that rate for purposes of an application under this funding opportunity. However, if awarded a grant, the agency must reapply to DESE for FY24 and annually through the grant cycle (2 CFR 200.332).A non-LEA that does not have either a Federal or DESE approved indirect cost rate may budget up to 8% percent of the agency's proposed budget to recover certain business-related expenses. However, if awarded a grant, the agency must apply to DESE for FY24 and that there is no guarantee that the rate will be approved (2 CFR 200.332). Project Duration Conditionally renewable annually for up to 2 (two) additional years.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligible applicants may include, but are not limited to:A local educational agency; A community-based organization or faith-based organization; A volunteer literacy organization; An institution of higher education;  A public or private nonprofit agency; A library; A public housing authority; A nonprofit institution that has the ability to provide adult education and literacy activities to eligible individuals; A consortium or coalition of the agencies, organizations, institutions, libraries, or authorities described above; and A partnership between an employer and an entity described above.The FY24-FY28 Massachusetts Policies for Effective Adult Education in Community Adult Learning Centers and Correctional Institutions should be used as guidance to provide adult education to eligible studentsEligible students are:are at least 16 years of age;are not enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school under state law; anddo not have a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent and have not achieved an equivalent level of education; or are basic skills deficient; or are English language learners.Students under 18 must provide a letter of withdrawal from the local school district in order to enroll in the program. Students who are home schooled must provide a letter from the local school district stating that they are not enrolled.Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, As Amended, is a pre-requisite to receipt of a grant award.Applicants are required to provide an auditable matching share of 20% of the total amount of the requested grant award.