MAICEI at Bristol

What is MAICEI?

The Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative (MAICEI) is a statewide initiative that supports eligible public high school students with intellectual disabilities and/or autism to have the opportunity to attend two and four-year public colleges and be fully included in all aspects of college life and learning.

What are the benefits?

Further benefits include:

• Support from an education coach, provided through the partnering school district or state agency, that supports the student in classes and on campus.

• Participation in a planning process that helps the student to identify a long term vision with short term goals.

• Development of organization, time management, advocacy and problem solving skills.

• Check in meetings with the MAICEI Coordinator to review goals, problem solve and help the student to access college resources.

• Free workshops for parents and students on issues related to transitioning into adulthood.

Who is eligible to participate?

• Students 18 years or older who have a documented intellectual disability and/or autism, are enrolled in a partnering school district and are receiving special education services.

• Students, over the age of 22, who have left high school without receiving a diploma and who have a documented intellectual disability and/or autism.

• Students who are eager to go to college and take college classes.

• Students who have a good high school attendance record.

What are my next steps?

Interested students and families should contact their special education teacher or the school district’s director of special education. After speaking with the student's school district, students and their families should fill out the Bristol Community College MAICEI Application with their district. Application forms for the MAICEI initiative are distributed in late January (for the fall semester) and in November (for the spring semester). 

Students who apply will be required to participate in an interview with the MAICEI coordinator and program director. Once accepted the student will then meet with their college advisor to register for classes.

Students wanting to learn about the courses Bristol Community College offers can view our degree and certificate categories here. Students and their families are always welcome to call or email the coordinator or program director for more information. Information sessions are held twice a year for prospective students and their families.

MAICEI APPLICATION

Partnering Schools

School districts interested in becoming partners with the Bristol MAICEI should contact the coordinator or program director. Once schools have signed a partnership agreement, districts can refer students who meet the eligibility criteria by helping students complete the Bristol Community College MAICEI Application. Students are accepted in both the fall and spring semesters.

School districts that have partnered with Bristol MAICEI include:

• Dighton-Rehoboth
• Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School
• Fall River
• North Attleboro
• Old Rochester
• Somerset-Berkley
• Swansea
• Westport

Partnership Leadership Team

The Partnership Leadership Team is comprised of representatives from the partnering school districts, key personnel from the college administration and teaching faculty, college alumni, representatives from the Department of Developmental Services, parent representatives, and the MAICEI program director and coordinator. The team meets five times a year and plays a key role in the implementation and oversight of the initiative.

Related MAICEI pages

Massachusetts MAICEI Info and Testimonial