It also recommends and sets state policies and procedures for the test centers. This federal-state grant program was created for gifted and talented school age children. The department establishes criteria for the purpose of identifying children enrolled in a public school in any city, town or regional school district in the Commonwealth in grades kindergarten through twelve who excel, or have the potential to excel, beyond their age peers to the extent they can benefit from the program. Additional aid under Education Reform has been the major funding mechanism for districts to develop and maintain programs for gifted and talented students. The Commonwealth Literacy Corps seeks to utilize the skills of citizen volunteers in the effort to eradicate illiteracy.
Coordinators recruit, train, and supervise the volunteers.
The program also includes a public awareness campaign to recruit adults both as students and tutors and to establish an information and referral network to connect people to appropriate programs. The Massachusetts Workplace Education Initiative, created in 1985, is a joint effort of cooperating state agencies. The initiative supports coordination, development and institutionalization of workplace education partnerships aimed at improving workers' basic skills. It serves mostly entry-level workers lacking the basic educational foundation expected of a high school graduate.