Abisi Adult Education Center

Our mission is to provide every adult in Greater Lowell with opportunities to develop literacy and math skills needed to qualify for further education, job training, and better employment, and to reach his/her full potential as a family member, productive worker, and citizen.  

At Abisi Adult Education Center, all students and staff are considerate of each other. We learn from and respect each other’s diverse talents and differences in culture, education, economic status, color, race, and religion.

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ESOL and HSE classes have different registration forms and processes for enrolling students.  Make sure you select the correct class so your enrollment is not delayed.   

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English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL):

Are you looking to learn English? ESOL classes provide instruction to second language learners looking to improve their English speaking, reading, and writing skills.

For ESOL class Information, click here:   https://form.jotform.com/241924381289060  

 

GED/HISET Testing Information:

If you are not interested in taking classes but information regarding the official high school credentials tests (GED/HISET), click here: www.doe.mass.edu/hse.  Official GED/HiSET tests are offered in English and Spanish.

 

High School Equivalency Classes (HSE):

HSE classes help students prepare to pass the GED and HiSET High School Equivalency Exams.  Students participate in courses focusing on Reading, Writing, Math, Science, and Social Studies.  

You MUST have a high level of English to enroll in these classes.

You MUST have high English speaking, reading, and writing skills to participate in our HSE classes.

If you are not a high-level English speaker, you must register for ESOL classes first.

ESOL classes to improve your English skills before enrolling in HSE classes.

You can use this link,  https://form.jotform.com/241924381289060,  to find more information about the ESOL classes or go to our website, www.lowell.k12.ma.us/page/61. 

Eligibility:

• You MUST live in one of the following cities or towns: Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Dunstable, Lowell, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro, or Westford.
• You MUST present a photo ID and proof of address with your name on it at your placement testing appointment.
• You MUST have high English speaking, reading, and writing skills.

 

UNDER 18 Policy:

Students under 18 must provide a withdrawal form from the school district they last attended.  It must be on school letterhead, have a signature from a school official, and include your date of birth and withdrawal date.  

Homeschooled students under 18 must provide a letter from their local school district stating they are not enrolled.

You can upload the document at the end of the registration form.  If you do not have it available now, complete the registration form and email it to us when you get it.  

You cannot take the placement testing or enroll in classes until the withdrawal form has been submitted. 

 

Class Registration Process:

1. Complete the registration form. 
2. Take the required placement tests. 
3. Placed on the Waitlist.

We use a managed enrollment system. Students from the waitlist are invited to join classes at the beginning of each rotation. The number of students invited will depend on the number of spots available. Class spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is not a guarantee of class placement.

 

A withdrawal form from the last school or program you attended is required.

It must:

• be on school/program letterhead
• contain a signature from a school official
• include your name, date of birth, and withdrawal date.

You can upload at the end of the registration form. If you can't upload it now, complete the registration form and email it to swaterhouse@lowell.k12.ma.us when you have it. You cannot take the placement tests or enroll in classes until it has been received.

Regular attendance is important for your learning and maintaining your enrollment in classes.

• All students are required to attend all classes as scheduled. (For example: If your classes meet Monday through Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., you are required to attend Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday; to arrive at 9:00 a.m.; and to remain in class until 12:00 pm)
• Students are required to report any absences. 

Too many absences may result in you being dropped from our program making space for those on the waiting list. 

Class Choices:

Morning In-person

• Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm @ Abisi Adult Education Ctr. at 408 Merrimack St., Lowell
• Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm @ CTI at 167 Dutton St., Lowell (satellite location).

Morning Remote

• Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm 

 Evening In-Person or Remote

• Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00 to 8:30 pm

Remote Classes:

Remote classes require a stable internet connection and basic computer skills. Your device must have a microphone, camera/webcam, and a headset or speakers. You may be asked to download Zoom and/or Google Classroom apps on your devices.

• Keep cameras ON while in class. (If you come to class, and do not respond or keep your camera off, you will not receive credit for attending that day.)
• Minimize distractions around you during class time. (You should not be driving, working, and caring for young children during class time.)
• Be appropriately dressed and in an appropriate environment for class. (You should not be in your pajamas or lying in bed while in class.)
• Attend each scheduled class.
• Participate in class by asking questions, giving a thumbs up, passing in work, etc.

 

Reading and Math placement tests are required for all students enrolling in our HSE Program each school year. 

Placement testing information will be emailed once your registration form has been processed.  Check both your inbox and junk folders.  All emails will have 'Abisi Adult Education' in the subject line to make it easier for you to search. It may take up to 5 school days from submission.

PLACEMENT TESTING:

(1) Locator:  First-Time Students Only

The Locator Placement Test email contains links for a short Reading and Math test. 

These are completed online using any tech device, such as a computer, laptop, tablet, or Smartphone. 

Once your Locator Test results have been posted, you will be emailed information regarding the MAPT Test. 

(2) MAPT: All Students

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requires ALL students enrolled in an HSE state-funded program to take the MAPT Test (Massachusetts Adult Proficiency Test). 

The MAPT Reading and Math tests are administered when you first register for classes.  This will give us a baseline of your current skills, a pre-test.  

The MAPT test is given by appointment only.  A staff member will email or text you to schedule your appointment. 

All students must post-test after attending classes for a select number of days/hours or upon exiting the program. You may be post-tested up to 3 times in a school year.

Please reach out, if you have not heard from us in five days.  Check your Inbox and Junk folders. 

Assessments can be taken in person (preferred) or remotely.

Remote assessments require you to have a stable internet connection, use a desktop computer, laptop, or tablet with a camera, have Zoom downloaded before your appointment, have access to a speaker or headset, and have a microphone. The testing software is NOT mobile-friendly. Smartphones cannot be used.

Limit your distractions when taking these tests.  Do not schedule them while working, driving, or caring for children.

Dear Student: 

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) funds your adult education program, Abisi Adult Education Center, and almost 100 others like it. In order to continue to support these programs, DESE must report information about students, including student outcomes, to the federal government.

After students leave their program, DESE collects information about their outcomes by matching their personal information with Department of Unemployment Assistance employment data, with GED and HiSET high school equivalency (HSE) test results, and with National Student Clearing House and Department of Higher Education postsecondary enrollment records. DESE combines the data sets and reports them to the federal government.

If you sign this Release of Information form, DESE will also share your employment data, HSE test results, and postsecondary enrollment information with your program, Click or tap here to enter text., so it can understand how well it is helping students. DESE and your AE program will not disclose this confidential information under any other circumstances unless required to do so by law.

Thank you,

I acknowledge pictures/photos/videos may be taken by AAEC staff and classmates throughout the year during classes, activities, or special events like graduation. I understand that these pictures/photos/videos may be posted on our Website, social media pages, like Facebook, or school newsletter.

IF I DO NOT WISH TO HAVE MY PICTURE INCLUDED, I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO STEP ASIDE. 

I acknowledge sound and video may be recorded by my teacher at any time while participating in remote classes.