Basic Literacy = Skills needed for reading and writing including: Vocabulary, Spelling and Comprehension.
Basic Skills = Reading, Writing, Math
ESOL = English as a Second Language
HiSet = High School Equivalency Test also know as the GED or General Equivalency Diploma
The Springfield Adult Basic Education (ABE) Partnership is made up of Springfield providers of educational services for adult learners and out-of-school youth and others invested in improving and coordinating these services. The Directory was created for service providers to make referrals, for potential learners looking for the right program, and for volunteer tutors looking for opportunities to help.
All partners share the conviction that adult basic education is the foundation for individual, community, and economic development. Adults who can realize their own literacy goals and realize their need to seek additional education, are able to support their children’s learning both in school and at home. They will improve their access to better work opportunities and will participate more fully in community and civic life.
This webpage is a current snapshot of educational services for adults and out-of-school youth. Adult Basic Education includes a wide range of services, such as basic literacy, basic mathematics, high school equivalency test preparation and testing, adult diploma program, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), job skills and work readiness training, computer literacy, family literacy, and MCAS help for youth who have competed high school credits but have not passed the required MCAS tests. We know that programs change and services grow and shrink due to changes in funding and priorities, so the Directory will continue to be a work in progress.
There are many other community organizations that offer support services for adult learners; however, not all of these organizations are listed. An excellent resource for a wide range of critical community services that adult learners need to meet their educational goals is Massachusetts 211 (Simply Dial 2-1-1). It is available 24 hours a day, is multilingual, and it can be found online at www.mass211help.org.
If you know of a program that offers ABE services, and it is not listed please feel free to send your comments, suggestions, and corrections, as well to our Ask A Librarian service at askalibrarian@springfieldlibrary.org. Your feedback will aid in making the Springfield Adult Basic Education Directory a useful tool.
Springfield City Library, Read/Write/Now Adult Learning Center
Training Resources of America, Inc.
The Gray House
Springfield City Library
Springfield Housing Authority
Springfield Technical Community College, Springfield Adult Learning Center
Training Resources of America, Inc.
YWCA of Western Massachusetts
Springfield City Library, Springfield Literacy Volunteers
Springfield Housing Authority
Springfield Public Schools Adult Education Center
Springfield Technical Community College, Springfield Adult Learning Center
Training Resources of America, Inc.
The Gray House – Family and Life Skills Literacy
New England Farm Workers’ Council, Youth Programs – Life Skills Literacy
Springfield City Library, Read/Write/Now Adult Learning Center – Life Skills Literacy
Springfield Housing Authority – Life Skills Literacy
YWCA of Western Massachusetts – Life Skills Literacy
Gandara Center -Multiple Locations
Contact: Lisa Brecher, info@gandaracenter.org
Phone: (413) 736-8329
Eligibility Requirements: Vary between programs.
Programs/Services: Housing Insecurity, Computer Literacy, Job Search / Readiness, Life Skills / Literacy, Parenting Skills, Workplace Education / Partnerships
Support Services: Counseling, Housing
Accepting Volunteers: Yes, Training provided.
The Gray House – 22 Sheldon Street, Springfield
Contact: J. Aisha Mathews, Education@grayhouse.org
Phone: (413) 734-6696
Eligibility Requirements: Only survival level skills are taught: Literacy, Beginner ESL Literacy and High Beginner ESL Literacy. Citizenship classes require an Intermediate or higher level of English. There is a $20 materials and commitment fee to begin any class.
Programs/Services: Basic Literacy, Basic Math, Reading, & Writing, Citizenship, Computer Literacy, ESOL, Family Literacy, Life Skills / Literacy
Support Services: Child Care
Accepting Volunteers: Yes, Training provided.
Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, After Incarceration Support Systems –
Phone: (413) 781-2050 ext. 8300
Eligibility Requirements: Any resident of Hampden County with any Incarceration History is eligible. No Charge to Clients
Programs/Services: ESOL, HiSet / GED Preparation, HiSet / GED Test Center, Job Search / Readiness, Transition to College
New England Farm Workers’ Council, Youth Programs – 1628-1640 Main Street, Springfield
Contact: Ana West, awest@partnersforcommunity.org
Phone: (413) 272-2280
Eligibility Requirements: Ages 16-24, High School Dropout. No Cost.
Programs/Services: Job Search / Readiness, Life Skills / Literacy, Pre – HiSet / GED, HiSet / GED Prep for Out of School Youth, Transition to College, Workplace Education / Partnerships
Support Services: Counseling, Payment of HiSet exam, Paid Work Experience, Career Exploration
Accepting Volunteers: Yes
Springfield City Library, Read/Write/Now Adult Learning Center – 204 Boston Road, Springfield
Phone: 413-263-6839
Eligibility Requirements: None, Free
Programs/Services: Basic Skills, Life Skills
Springfield City Library – 220 State Street, Springfield
Phone: (413) 263-6828
Eligibility Requirements: Free
Programs/Services: Computer Literacy
Accepting Volunteers: Yes
Additional Information: The Springfield City Library offers free computer classes. Workshops include basic computer literacy (e.g. mouse skills, web skills, etc.), and introductory Microsoft Office skills.
Springfield Public Schools Adult Education Center – 204 Boston Road, Springfield
Contact: Angela Negron, negronan@springfieldpublicschools.com
Phone: 413-787-7210
Eligibility Requirements: No cost for residents of the City of Springfield. Individuals residing outside of the City of Springfield may register to take the HiSet test at no charge. Adult Basic Education and ESOL classes for residents outside of the City of Springfield are available only if the individual enrolls in the Ahead of the Game program.
Programs/Services: ESOL, HiSet / GED Preparation, HiSet / GED Test Center, Workplace Education / Partnerships. Case management and mentoring for students enrolled in our HiSet preparation classes, ESOL classes and Ahead of the Game program.
Support Services: Transportation – offered in the form of bus tokens for some programs.
Accepting Volunteers: Yes, Training provided.
Additional Information: Our program is fully aligned with the State of Massachusetts and national academic standards for adults. Instructors and staff are professionally trained in adult education. A variety of teaching methods and resources are used to help individuals attain certain benchmarks to advance to the next class. The length of time you will spend at any level will vary depending on your individual progress. Every student is assigned an Education and Career Advisor to help them achieve their education and career goals.
Springfield Housing Authority – 60 Congress Street, Springfield
Contact: Sarah Carbone, scarbone@shamass.org
Phone: 413-785-4500
Eligibility Requirements: None – Open to all Greater Springfield area residents, Free
Programs/Services: Computer Literacy, ESOL, HiSet/GED Preparation, Housing Insecurity, Job Search / Readiness, Life Skills / Literacy, Pre – HiSet/GED, HiSet/GED Prep for Out of School Youth
Support Services: Housing
Springfield Technical Community College, Springfield Adult Learning Center – 1 Armory Square, Suite 1, Springfield
Contact: Barbara Bradbury, bbradbury@stcc.edu
Phone: 413-755-4300 (call to reserve space)
Eligibility Requirements: Must be 18 years of age or older. Applicants who are 16-17 years old may apply with consent of parent/guardian. Free
Program/Services: Computer Literacy, ESOL, HiSet/GED Preparation, Pre-HiSet/GED, HiSet/GED Prep for Out of School Youth, Transition to College, Workforce Education/Partnerships
Support Services: Counseling, Transportation, Test Language available in Spanish
Springfield Technical Community College, Gateway to College –
Phone: (41 3) 755-4581
Program/Services: Gateway to College is a competitive scholarship program funded through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education .
The cost of tuition, books and most fees are covered by the scholarship. In addition, you’ll have an academic counselor dedicated to your success. Your academic counselor will guide you through the college experience; teach you about careers, organization and time management; and provide you with referrals to community resources.
Springfield Technical Community College, HiSet/GED Exams –
Phone: (413) 755-4507 – Computer Testing, (413) 755-4709 – Written Testing
STCC has partnered with the Educational Testing Service to offer high school equivalency tests (the HiSET) to adults who are at least 18 years old and have not previously received a high school diploma (16 and 17-year-olds may take the test only if they are no longer enrolled in school).
Training Resources of America, Inc. – 32-34 Hampden Street, Ground Floor, Springfield
Contact: Jynai McDonald, jmcdonald@tra-inc.org
Phone: (413) 732-2223
Eligibility Requirements: None, No Cost for Participants
Programs/Services: Adult Diploma, Basic Literacy, Basic Math, Reading & Writing, College and Career Advising, Computer Literacy, ESOL, HisSe t/ GED Preparation, Job Search / Readiness, Transition to College, Workplace Education
Accepting Volunteers: Yes
YWCA of Western Massachusetts – 1 Clough Street, Springfield
Contact: Jenniefer Murphy, jmurphy@ywworks.org
Phone: (413) 732-3121
Eligibility Requirements: Serve Ages 16-24, High School Drop Out, No Cost for Participants
Programs/Services: Adult Diploma Program, Computer Literacy, HiSet / GED Preparation, Job Search / Readiness, Life Skills / Literacy, HiSet / GED Preparation for Out of School Youth, Transition to College, Workplace Education / Partnerships.
YouthBuild Program: Offers HiSet classes in conjunction with vocational training in construction or in Allied Health. Students participating in these programs will receive case management services, a credential in the construction or Allied Health field, transition support to work/post-secondary education/training, paid internships, and work readiness training.
Support Services: Transportation
Accepting Volunteers: Yes, Training provided.
Additional Area Services
Westover Job Corps Center, US Department of Labor – 103 Johnson Road, Chicopee
Phone: (413) 593-5731
Program/Services: Basic Literacy, Computer Literacy, ESOL, HiSet / GED Preparation, Job Search / Readiness, Transition to College
Job Corps is a no-cost education and career technical training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps young people ages 16 to 24 improve the quality of their lives through career technical and academic training.
For information & referrals for adult learners: Massachusetts Adult Literacy Hotline – 1-800-447-8844
Supported in part by grants from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Adult and Community Learning Services