The Abisi Adult Education Center (AAEC) offers free educational programs to residents of the Greater Lowell area, helping adults achieve their personal, academic, and professional goals. These programs are funded through a partnership between the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and Lowell Public Schools.

ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Classes

ESOL classes are designed to help adult learners improve their English speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills. These classes support students in achieving confidence in everyday communication.

Click here to register for ESOL classes:

https://abisiadulted.jotform.com/261124674744055 

High School Equivalency (HSE) Classes

HSE classes help students strengthen their skills in reading, writing, social studies, science, and mathematics in preparation for the GED or HiSET exams.

Students must have strong English speaking, reading, and writing skills to be eligible for HSE classes.

Click the "Next" button below to continue with the registration form.

GED/HiSET Testing Information

Massachusetts offers two options for earning a high school equivalency credential: the GED® and the HiSET®.

If you're not looking to enroll in classes but would like to take the official high school equivalency exams, click the link below to learn more about the GED and HiSET, including testing requirements, registration, and available testing locations.

 www.doe.mass.edu/hse 

Completing this form may take up to 15 minutes.

Please ensure you have enough time to finish.  Only completed forms can be submitted.  

To be eligible for classes, you must:

• Live in the Greater Lowell area (Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Dunstable, Lowell, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro or Westford),

• Be at least 16 years of age.

• Have strong English speaking, reading, and writing skills.

• Present a valid photo ID and proof of address in your name at your placement testing appointment.

Do you live outside the Greater Lowell area? Visit the Massachusetts Adult Education Program Directory to find a program near you.  https://www.doe.mass.edu/acls/directory.html 

Under 18 Policy

Students under 18 must provide an official withdrawal form from the last school they attended, no exceptions.

Your withdrawal form MUST be:

• on school letterhead
• have a signature from a school official
• include your full name, 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 will not be eligible to take the placement testing or enroll in classes until the withdrawal form has been submitted. 

Withdrawal forms can be uploaded later in the registration form or email a scanned copy to swaterhouse@lowell.k12.ma.us.   

Note: There is a 30-day grace period after your official withdrawal date. For instance, if you withdrew from high school on August 1, 2026, you would not be eligible to begin classes until after September 1, 2026.

HSE Class Enrollment Process

Enrollment Process:

1. Submit a completed registration form.
2. Complete all required placement assessments (Locator and/or MAPT).
3. Be placed on the waiting list until the next available orientation.
4. Attend a mandatory orientation session.
5. Begin classes.

Our program uses a managed enrollment system. Students are invited from the waitlist to join classes at the beginning of each class rotation. The number of students invited depends on the number of available openings, and class placements are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Registration in ongoing from August to March.

We appreciate your patience throughout the enrollment process.

Please provide the name, phone number, and relationship of at least one emergency contact who is 18 years of age or older and lives in the local area. 

You are not required to disclose medical or disability information as a condition of enrollment.

Any information you choose to provide will be kept confidential and used only to assist staff and emergency medical personnel in the event of a medical emergency and to determine and provide reasonable accommodations for a disability, if needed.

Epilepsy and seizures vary widely from person to person, and not everyone has the same type or experience. Some are barely noticeable, while others are dramatic and require medical attention.

Depending on the type of seizure, symptoms may vary. During a seizure, you may lose consciousness, fall, experience unusual sensations, become confused, shake or jerk, stare into space, or have other symptoms.

Please note that AAEC staff do their best to support every student throughout their educational journey. However, IEPs obtained while in school may not be supported in the same way in our program. We do not offer one-on-one instruction or tutoring. If you require individualized instruction, many local libraries offer free tutoring through their Adult Basic Education volunteer programs.

Consistent class attendance is essential to your success and to maintaining your enrollment in our program.

Before selecting a class, please make sure you can attend every scheduled session, arrive on time, and participate regularly. Regular attendance and active participation are required to remain enrolled.

Remote classes require a stable and reliable internet connection, as well as basic computer skills. Students must have access to a device with a microphone, camera/webcam, and headset or speakers.

Students participating in remote classes will use Google Classroom and Zoom to access lessons, communicate with instructors, and complete assignments. Please make sure Zoom is downloaded and installed on your device before classes begin.

Laptops, desktop computers, and tablets/iPads are the recommended devices for remote learning. Smartphones may be used as an alternative; however, they are not recommended due to limited functionality and screen size.

If you are using an Apple device, you may need to download the Google Classroom app.

At this time, AAEC does not provide devices for students to use at home. Students are responsible for ensuring they have access to the required technology and internet connection for remote learning.

Funding for our High School Equivalency (HSE) classes is based on student attendance and assessment outcomes. Failure to comply with attendance and assessment requirements may negatively affect future funding for the program and the educational opportunities available to all students.

Regular attendance is essential for student success. 

Please read through the current enrollment policies.

Attendance Requirements

All students are expected to:

• Attend all scheduled class sessions.

• Arrive on time and remain for the entire class.

• Notify the program as soon as possible if they will be absent.

• Contact the program before returning if they have been absent for an extended period.

Attendance is recorded for every class session, including both in-person and remote classes.

Remote Attendance Expectations

Students attending remotely are expected to:

• Log in on time and remain present for the entire class session.

• Actively participate by responding to the instructor, engaging in class activities, and completing assigned work.

• Keep their camera on throughout the class session unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor.

• Maintain reliable internet access and have access to Zoom and Google Classroom.

Repeated technical issues or failure to meet remote participation expectations may result in the loss of remote learning privileges. Students who do not actively participate in online instruction may be contacted by program staff to discuss barriers to attendance and develop a plan for continued participation.

Absence Policy

Students are expected to attend all scheduled class sessions and notify the program as soon as possible if they will be absent.

Students with repeated absences or who stop attending classes without notifying the program will receive a written attendance warning by email or text message.

The warning will include a deadline by which the student must either:

• Return to class, or
• Contact their instructor or the program to discuss their absence and continued enrollment.

Students who do not return to class or communicate with the program by the deadline stated in the warning may be dropped from classes.

Students who are dropped due to attendance will need to contact us to return to classes.  Re-enrollment at the next orientation if space is available.

Tardiness Policy

Being on time shows respect for your education, your instructor, and your classmates.

Please arrive on time for every scheduled class. Late arrivals can disrupt instruction, interrupt the learning environment, and make it more difficult for you and your classmates to stay on track. Repeated tardiness may be addressed by program staff and may affect your continued participation in the program.

We understand that unexpected situations or personal responsibilities may occasionally affect your ability to arrive on time. For example, if you need to wait for your child’s school bus pickup at 9:00 a.m. or have another unavoidable responsibility, please communicate with your teacher in advance so we can discuss possible solutions.

Abisi Adult Education Center is dedicated to making our school a safe and welcoming place for all students.  To stay safe, students are expected to follow a code of conduct.  All students are expected to:

Your time in class is valuable and limited—make the most of it by staying focused and minimizing distractions.

• Treat classmates, teachers, and staff will courtesy and respect at all times.

• Respect the property of AAEC, of staff, and of fellow students.

• Maintain appropriate behavior in the classroom and throughout school property.

• Smoking, consuming alcoholic beverages, and/or using controlled substances are strictly prohibited in or around school property.

• Be considerate of others. Strong perfumes, colognes, or lingering odors from substances may trigger migraines, allergies, asthma, or other sensitivities.

• Silence or turn off cell phones and kept it out of sight during class. Notifications and calls disrupt your learning and that of others around you.

• Recording of classes is not permitted without prior approval.

• Texting, taking photos, or accessing/posting on social media platforms (including Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, and similar sites) is not allowed during class.

• Children are not permitted in the classroom or the building during class time.

• Eating during class is not permitted unless permission has been granted or it is part of a special school event.

Failure to follow these policies may result in removal from our program. 

ORIENTATIONS

All students are required to attend an orientation before enrolling at Abisi Adult Education Center. During orientation, we will provide an overview of our program offerings, introduce the tools used in our classrooms, distribute class schedules, and answer any questions. 

Orientations will be offered at the beginning of each rotation, approximately every 6-8 weeks until March. 

ASSESSMENT POLICIES

All students are required to complete assessments before enrolling in classes. No prior preparation is needed to complete these assessments, and they are not based on a pass-or-fail score. The results help us determine the appropriate class placement and identify the support you need to be successful.

First-Time Students
After your registration form has been processed, first-time students will receive an email with links to complete a short Reading and Math Locator assessment. These assessments can be completed at home using a computer, tablet, or smartphone.

The Locator assessments must be completed before you can take the state-required MAPT assessment. The results help determine the appropriate starting level for your MAPT assessment.

Once you have completed and submitted the Locator assessments, we will email or text you to schedule your MAPT testing appointment.

Returning Students
After your registration form has been processed, returning students will receive an email or text message to schedule an appointment to complete the required MAPT assessment.  Check your junk/spam folder too.

All required assessments must be completed before you can be enrolled in classes.  

What Is the MAPT Assessment?

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requires all students enrolled in a state-funded High School Equivalency (HSE) program to complete the MAPT (Massachusetts Adult Proficiency Test). Students take the MAPT when they enroll in the program and again before exiting the program.

The MAPT measures your current reading and math skills and helps identify your strengths and areas for improvement. It is used to:

• Determine your instructional level and appropriate class placement.

• Measure your academic progress over time.

• Evaluate learning outcomes.

• Help improve instructional programs and curriculum.

• Support state reporting and funding, allowing HSE classes to remain free for students.

When Do You Take the MAPT?

Pre-Test
All students complete a MAPT pre-test when they enroll to establish a baseline of their reading and math skills.

Post-Test
Completed after attending the required number of instructional hours or when exiting the program to measure academic progress. Depending on your attendance and length of enrollment, you may complete two or more MAPT assessments during the school year.

Remote Testing Requirements

Any student can take these assessments remotely, even if they are taking in-person classes.

Remote assessments must be completed on a laptop, desktop computer, tablet, or iPad. The testing software is not mobile-friendly and does not function well on smartphones (such as iPhones or Android phones). 

Stable internet connection is needed and Zoom must be downloaded.

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, Abisi Adult Education Center, 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.

Media Release and Remote Instruction Recording Acknowledgment

I acknowledge that photographs, videos, and other forms of media may be captured by AAEC staff or students throughout the school year during classes, activities, and special events, including graduation and Student Success Celebrations. These images and recordings may be shared through school communication channels, including the AAEC website, social media platforms (such as Facebook), and the school newsletter.

If I do not wish to appear in photographs or videos, I understand that it is my responsibility to step aside, remove myself from the area being recorded, or otherwise avoid appearing in the frame.

I also acknowledge that my teacher may record audio and/or video during remote instruction sessions while I am participating in online learning activities.

GED/HiSET Testing Results Authorization

I authorize Abisi Adult Education Center instructional and administrative staff to access, review, and share my GED/HiSET testing results as needed. Test results may be used to determine appropriate class placement and schedules, verify graduation status, and support the development and improvement of future educational programming.

COMMUNITY AGENCIES/ORGANIZATIONS

If you are receive services from community agencies such as DTA, DCF, TAFDC, Lowell Housing Authority, Lowell Public Schools, MassHire, the Probation Office, or similar organizations, they may request information regarding your enrollment status, attendance, test scores, and other relevant details.

STUDENT FOLLOW-UP

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) provides funding for Abisi Adult Education Center. To continue receiving funding, DESE must report to the federal government on how students are doing in employment and education after leaving our program.

For this reason, we collect follow-up information from students every three months for up to one year after they leave the program. This information helps us understand student progress and improve our services.

If you provide your Social Security number during registration, it may be used to match your records with employment, HiSET/GED testing, and college or training enrollment records. If your information can be matched, we may not need to contact you directly.

If you do not provide your Social Security number, we may contact you by text, phone, or email to ask about your employment and education status.

DESE reports this information to the federal government without your name or other identifying information.

Please respond to follow-up requests from Abisi Adult Education Center. Your participation helps us maintain program funding and continue providing services to students.

All information collected will be kept confidential and shared only as required by law.

• Submitting a registration form does not guarantee enrollment in a class.

• Students are placed in classes on a first-come, first-served basis based on the date their completed registration form is received.

• Please submit only one registration form. Duplicate submissions will be removed.

• If you need to make changes after submitting your form, please contact Sarah by email at swaterhouse@lowell.k12.ma.us or by text message at 978-483-0332.

• Please allow up to 5 school days (Monday–Friday) for your registration to be processed. If you do not receive a response after 5 school days, please contact the program for an update.

• After your registration is processed, assessment information will be sent to you by email. Please check your junk or spam folder if you do not see the email in your inbox.