Newsletter - October 2020
The Voice of Adult Education
Dear MCAE Community,

Apple picking, leaf peeping and … remote learning? It’s officially autumn, even if things feel a bit different this year. But don’t worry! MCAE is here as your voice for adult education. Reach out to me if there’s something you need or want to share – a challenge, a question, or a success story! Stay safe and be well.
Rachel Gwaltney, MCAE Director
MCAE News and Updates
MCAE releases new report on COVID-19 and ABE Programs in Massachusetts
MCAE is pleased to release a new report The COVID-19 Pandemic and Adult Education in Massachusetts. In July 2020, we surveyed ABE program directors – including those at programs based in schools, community-based organizations, community colleges, and correctional facilities – to find out how programs in the Commonwealth are responding to the challenges of teaching and learning during the pandemic. We received responses from directors in all corners of the state including Western Massachusetts, Metrowest, Lowell, Boston, the North and South Shores, and the Cape and Islands, sharing their thoughts on the challenges and opportunities brought on the COVID-19 pandemic for programs, students, and teachers.
Summary of findings
  • Students rely on ABE programs for so much more than academics, especially during a health care crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic, putting more strain on already stretched resources.

  • ABE programs demonstrated great resourcefulness and resiliency, pivoting to remote instruction despite many technological, resource and life change barriers.

  • Remote learning provided some unexpected benefits by removing some barriers to instruction such as scheduling, childcare and transportation, allowing some programs to serve more people.

  • More state investment is needed to enable programs to acquire and distribute technology to programs and students, for staff training and professional development and to adhere to state and local public health guidelines and restrictions.
Adult Ed and Family Literacy Week Successes!
Thank you for celebrating Adult Education and Family Literacy Week with us! All week long, MCAE and our community was part of a national movement to spread awareness about the importance and impact of adult education. MCAE was recognized by COABE as a top collaborator, and we even received a proclamation from Governor Charlie Baker, acknowledging that “a successful adult education system is essential to a flourishing, innovative, and more equitable Commonwealth.” If you missed AELFW, check out MCAE's social media channels for all the highlights!
Massachusetts News and Updates
State Budget Update
Massachusetts legislative leadership and Baker administration officials held an economic roundtable on Oct. 7 to hear updates on the state’s revenue projections. At present, experts estimate a revenue shortfall of roughly $3 to $5 billion for FY21, meaning the state will have to balance the options of raising new revenue, making difficult cuts, borrowing, and tapping into the state’s Rainy Day fund. Massachusetts is currently operating under a temporary budget, set to expire Oct. 31, and there is not agreement about when the FY21 budget will be finalized. Senate President Karen Spilka suggested that Governor Baker may be planning to file an updated version of the pre-pandemic fiscal 2021 spending plan he put forward in January, which would reset the budget discussion process at the Legislature. She has said that a budget before the November 3 election is unlikely. Other lawmakers have been pushing to complete the FY21 budget more quickly and turn attention to FY22. MCAE is still meeting with lawmakers and staff to ensure ABE funding remains a top priority for level funding, in order to keep programs going strong.

Let your legislators know how important it is to fund ABE! MCAE is calling upon the Massachusetts legislature to maintain appropriations for adult basic education at $41.05 million for FY 2021, level funding from FY20. Learn more and find out how to contact your legislators here.
ABE Programs Meeting Students' Basic Needs
Congratulations to MCAE member organization Mujeres Unidas Avanzando (MUA) for recently receiving a Boston Resiliency Fund grant. These grants bring resources and support directly to Bostonians in need, and “MUA appreciates the opportunity to partner with the Boston Resiliency Fund to give Latinx families as well as other English Language Learners (ELLs) in our community-based Adult Basic Education (ABE) and allied health training job program gift cards to buy nourishing food for their households” said Johannah Malone, Co-Director in the mayor's press release.
Join the Campaign to Invest in Our Recovery
We are excited to support the Raise Up Massachusetts Community Briefing event series as part of the Invest in Our Recovery campaign. Join the campaign to deliver testimonials from working people directly to our state lawmakers and ask lawmakers directly what they will do to ensure the MA Legislature passes a just recovery for working people. Recent polling by RUM shows that the three tax policies called for by the campaign have overwhelming support among Massachusetts voters.
National News and Updates
Federal funding
Complicating the state’s budget picture, the federal government has failed to pass a new coronavirus relief stimulus package as President Trump ended negotiations with Congress until after the November 3 election. No new federal recovery aid will be coming to states until a deal is reached. Keep letting your federal representatives know that Adult Education funding needs to be a priority.
A Conversation About Adult Literacy and Equity
Join the Barbara Bush Foundation for the virtual event Literacy is the Key: Bridging the Equity Gap - a conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jon Meacham on the intersection of literacy and equity issues, framed by his latest book, His Truth is Marching On: John Lewis and the Power of Hope. Register here
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