Section 707.140 - Educational ComponentThe Educational Component provides educational services to individuals to prepare him or her to obtain and maintain employment. Participation is subject to available program resources, the individual's approved Employment Development Plan (EDP), and the criteria in 106 CMR 707.140(A) through (D):
(A)Teen Parents. A parent younger than 20 years old who has not completed high school or does not have a high school equivalency test (HiSET) certificate is required to participate in elementary, middle, or high school on a full-time basis or in a full-time HiSET certificate program and an approved training or employment-related activity for a total of 20 hours per week. The Department will provide child care and transportation services, if needed, as provided for in 106 CMR 707.210.(B)Dependent Child 16 or 17 Years of Age. A dependent child 16 or 17 years of age who is not attending an elementary, middle, or high school on a full-time basis or is not in a HiSET certificate program must participate in Basic or Secondary Education Services.(C)Basic and Secondary Education Services.(1) Activities may include, but are not limited to: (a) high school curriculum;(c) adult basic education;(d) HiSET certificate program;(e) English as a Second Language (ESL);(f) Young Parents Program (YPP); and(g) Department-approved alternative education programs.(2)Participation. The following are the criteria for individuals participating in basic and secondary educational activities:(a) the participant shall be an active client;(b) the program chosen by the participant must be scheduled for at least 12 hours of activity per week, except as provided for teen parents in 106 CMR 707.140(A);(c) the participant must attend the scheduled hours per week, unless good cause applies as defined by 106 CMR 701.380: Good Cause Criteria;(d) the participant must be making satisfactory progress as defined by the educational provider;(e) the participant must not have a high school diploma or a HiSET certificate or if the participant has a diploma or HiSET certificate, he or she must have limited proficiency in English;(f) the participant must provide verification of participation at time periods determined by the Department in a manner prescribed by the Department; and(g) for purposes of the Young Parents Program (YPP), the participant must be 14 through 23 years of age. Once a YPP participant reaches 24 years of age, he or she may no longer participate in YPP.(D)Post-secondary Education. Participation in an education activity shall meet the criteria for participation in the Educational Component when:(1) the post-secondary education:(a) equals or is more than a half-time program; and(b) is included in the individual's approved EDP;(2) the activities may reasonably be expected to lead to employment in the northeast regional labor market. The northeast regional labor market is defined in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles, Occupational Outlook Handbook and Labor Market Surveys;(3) the activities provide credits toward a certificate, an Associate's degree or other degree;(4) the participant is making satisfactory progress as defined by the educational provider;(5) the participant is attending the scheduled hours per week, unless good cause applies as defined by 106 CMR 701.380: Good Cause Criteria;(6) the participant provides verification of participation at time periods determined by the Department in a manner prescribed by the Department; andAdopted by Mass Register Issue 1360, eff. 3/9/2018.