The Baker-Polito administration today released over $1.1 million in grant funding aimed at developing Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment programs at 12 Massachusetts public higher education campuses.
As part of the new grant, Bridgewater State University received funding to continue its program and also received a residence-life grant, which will support on-campus dormitory opportunities for eligible students. This is the first fully inclusive residence-life program of its kind in the commonwealth.
The Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative (ICEI) offers grants to fund programs supporting public high school students with severe disabilities, ages 18-22, the opportunity to participate in inclusive college courses (credit or non-credit) to increase their educational and professional success. Research shows that these students benefit academically, and transition to young adulthood more readily, when they have the opportunity to engage in all college-related activities rather than staying at high school.
“Providing young adults with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to develop professional and personal skills is the right thing to do as a commonwealth,” said Gov. Charlie Baker. “Increasing the diversity of our workforce to include more young adults with intellectual disabilities complements our administration’s commitment to developing economic vitality.”
Secretary of Education James Peyser added: “Creating a variety of career development pathways for all students, including those with intellectual disabilities is an important priority,” he said. “The academic and social opportunities in which these students will engage through this grant program will prepare them well for the workforce demands of the future.”
Awards announced today will allow 12 public two- and four-year colleges and universities to offer programs that give students access to college academics, social opportunities, career development, and other college related activities. These planning and implementation grants are designed to be transitional in nature and two early recipients of grants under the program have subsequently reached self-sustaining status and continue to offer programs in the Massachusetts ICEI network statewide.
Funded by the commonwealth in 2008, the Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment program has grown to include 14 public two-and four-year institutions supporting over 1,200 students. During the 2015–2016 academic year, a total of 269 students were enrolled in the program.
In addition to BSU, the Executive Office of Education will award ICEI continuation grants to Cape Cod Community College, Framingham State University, Roxbury Community College, Westfield State University, Middlesex Community College, Northern Essex Community College, UMass-Boston, Bunker Hill Community College, UMass-Amherst and Salem State University. Massasoit Community College will receive a planning grant intended to build a program that will start accepting students in fall 2017.
Massachusetts supports funding for the grant through the state budget, making the commonwealth one of the few states to provide college and university opportunities for young adults with intellectual disabilities while they are still in high school.
Learn more information about the Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative.