• Adult Education State Director Wyvonne Stevens-Carter issues updates for ACLS programs in Massachusetts to help programs navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and adjust operations for upcoming sessions. Additionally, DESE Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley issued initial guidance for K-12 schools to plan for reopening in the fall; ACLS programs based in school buildings should be aware of this guidance as it may also affect your reopening plans.

• The Raise Up Massachusetts Coalition has launched a new campaign calling on lawmakers to invest in public services that improve public health, grow our economy, and reduce racial inequality. Massachusetts can raise significant new revenue from profitable corporations and their shareholders this year, avoid destructive budget cuts, and instead, invest in our recovery! Read more about the Invest in Our Recovery Campaign and how to add your voice, take place in regional demonstrations happening around Massachusetts, and keep an eye on MCAE social media to share this message with the wider community. 
• Recently the Boston Globe published an opinion piece from economists Alan Clayton-Matthews, Michael Goodman and Alicia Sasser-Modestino who argue that avoiding budget cuts through targeted tax increases is the best way to build a strong recovery in Massachusetts. (ICYMI, Dr. Sasser-Modestino presented an MCAE webinar on her research showing the return on investment of ESOL programs.)

• MCAE is also supporting efforts to extend the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures. With the current moratorium expiring on August 18, we are calling on the legislature to pass the new "Act to Guarantee Housing Stability during the COVID-19 Emergency and Recovery." Learn more about this bill and ask your legislators to sign on. This info page has a sample script and links to look up names/numbers of representatives by a constituent's address.

• Don't forget about the census! The 2020 Census count has been extended until October 31. Share this info on how to respond - including the option to respond in one of 13 different languages. 
• This report from Mass Budget and Policy Center shows how undercounting in 2010 is affecting the pandemic relief funds being allocated to MA today, a good reminder of why an accurate count, especially of vulnerable children and families, matters so much.

• Also from the National Skills Coalition comes this great report on how policies that combine investment in English language skills with digital learning pay off for workers and businesses.

• The US Department of Education Office of Career, technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) continues to answer FAQs and issue COVID-19 guidance for states.

 

 MCAE Webinar Recordings Now Available!

Did you miss any of the webinars in our series during April, May and June? The recordings are now available via our Facebook page.

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Stay Connected to MCAE 

• Join MCAE as an Organizational, Leadership, or Individual Member to help us offset the cost of cancelling NETWORK this year. As a member you'll get early access to some resources and next year's NETWORK conference. 

• Follow and engage with MCAE on Twitter or on Facebook  - we'll be sharing updates and resources there regularly.

• Make sure you are signed up for MCAE Action Alerts to get the latest updates on the state budget process and our fight to sustain and increase the ABE line item during this difficult year.