Multi-year program expands access to evidence-based literacy instruction through professional development and high-quality materials

Clinton - On September 19, 2024, the Healey-Driscoll Administration, state legislators, local officials and educators celebrated the kick-off of Literacy Launch: Reading Success from Age 3 through Grade 3, Governor Maura Healey’s new approach to improving early literacy. Literacy Launch makes sure Massachusetts schools, educators and students have access to high-quality, evidence-based reading instruction through literacy materials, technical support, coaching and professional development for educators. The first year of this new, multi-year strategy is supported by $20 million in the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) budget and represents a key investment in the future of early learners, helping equip students with the reading and writing skills necessary for academic success and lifelong learning. 

Governor Healey announced today at Clinton Elementary School that a request for proposals is currently open for public school districts and charter schools to apply for the Partnership for Reading Success – Massachusetts (PRISM) grants. These competitive grants, funded through Literacy Launch, will provide awardees with professional development, support to create partnerships with community-based preschool providers to align evidence-based early curriculum, instruction and assessment across the community, funding for early literacy screening assessments, coaching support and funding to cover staffing costs for roles like literacy coaches or reading specialists. Proposals are due October 1, 2024. 

“Massachusetts is ranked number one in the country for schools, and we want to be number one for literacy too. Literacy Launch will help us reach that goal by giving more students the instruction they need to be able to read and read well,” said Governor Maura Healey. “I’m grateful for the Legislature’s partnership to make Literacy Launch a reality and look forward to our continued collaboration to make Massachusetts the best place to live, work, raise a family and go to school." 

“One of the most important aspects of our Literacy Launch Initiative is how we’ll support our teachers in adopting best practices,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This funding will make the best reading instructional materials available to more districts and offer help implementing them. Under this administration’s leadership, and in partnership with the Legislature, we are going to continue to accelerate critical efforts to improve early literacy.” 

In the first year of Literacy Launch, the administration will help up to 45 school districts transition to a strong, evidence-based literacy program through a competitive grant program, including acquisition of high-quality materials and long-term technical support from The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). It will also update approval criteria and accelerate review timelines for teacher education programs that are now required to provide evidence-based early literacy training. The program will be implemented by the Executive Office of Education in coordination with DESE and the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). 

“Early literacy has been a priority for me and our Secretariat since I joined the administration, and I am honored to join Governor Healey today to kick off our new early literacy initiative - Literacy Launch. Literacy Launch will help transform early literacy learning in Massachusetts, building a critical foundation in reading and writing,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “Thanks to Governor Healey’s leadership and our state Legislature, we are launching one of the most comprehensive literacy approaches in the country – providing districts with the support they need and the funding necessary to adopt best practices. The $20 million investment in the FY25 budget is not only a down payment on students’ success, but on our economy and competitiveness.” 

As part of the administration’s on-going work to improve early literacy, DESE is also launching an improve Mass Literacy Guide that incorporates feedback from educators, administrators and the community. This interactive, web- based resource and information hub provides high-quality instructional resources and information for educators to support their teaching, as well as information about how young children learn how to read and write and about instruction that is based in current evidence. Additionally, under programs like Growing Literacy Equity Across Massachusetts (GLEAM) and Accelerating Literacy grants, DESE has been offering opportunities for districts to receive multi-year technical support and funding for improvements in literacy teaching and materials. DESE also offers Appleseeds, a completely free, evidence-based reading foundational skills curriculum for students in grades K-2. The state was also recently awarded $38.4 million in federal funding over the next five years to further expand evidence-based and culturally and linguistically sustaining practices for English language arts and literacy in grades pre-K through 12 through additional grants to districts and schools.?? 

“Massachusetts has been in need of the transformational investment that Literacy Launch is bringing to our classrooms,” said Acting Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Russell D. Johnston. “We are happy to bring things resources to districts, educators and students.” 

“Early education is the start of the educational journey for our youngest learners. The Administration’s comprehensive, cross-secretariat Literacy Launch initiative will set our children up for educational success and a love of reading, helping children to develop the language and literacy skills they need and closing the learning gap before they enter kindergarten,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw.? 

In recognition of the critical role that early educators and preschool providers play in children’s literacy learning, students as young as 3 are an important focus of Literacy Launch and the state’s existing approach to improving early literacy. The Department of Early Education and Care is working with partners to conduct a statewide assessment of preschool literacy needs and create a Massachusetts Preschool Kindergarten Transition Toolkit for the early education mixed-delivery system. 

“Learning how to read is the cornerstone of a lifetime of success, and the Literacy Launch program is going to open that door to students in schools across the entire state,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “This initiative was a point of pride in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, and I’m grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for implementing it with the speed and energy it deserves.” 

“As a former teacher, I have seen first hand the importance of ensuring all students have access to high-quality early literacy programs, as becoming a strong reader from a young age is a crucial step towards long-term academic success,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I'm proud of the work we have done in the Legislature to make Massachusetts a national leader in education, but we know more can be done to support our youngest readers, and I'm grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for its strong commitment to this important issue."  

"Massachusetts has consistently been a national leader in education. With the kickoff of Literacy Launch, we will continue this investment by expanding access to evidence-based early literacy,” said State Senator Jason Lewis (D-Winchester), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “This initiative was funded by the Legislature’s Fiscal Year 2025 state budget and will utilize high-quality educational materials and professional development to better support our children from the start and set them up for future success down the line. 

“Literacy is fundamentally important for our youngest learners in every single district in our Commonwealth. We know that children must learn to read by third grade so they can read to learn throughout their educational journey,” said Representative Denise Garlick (D-Needham), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “Literacy Launch will build on our efforts to increase access to evidence-based literacy materials and to provide educators professional development and support.” 

"Today is a celebration of our students and our Commonwealth's commitment to provide them with the best education possible," said Senator John J. Cronin (D-Fitchburg). "Massachusetts is a leader on so many issues and, with this program, will continue to be the best place in the country, and the world, to receive an education. I'm grateful to Governor Healey for her leadership on this issue and am excited for the impact it will have on students here in Clinton and across North Central Mass." 

“I am proud to join Governor Healey in visiting Clinton Public Schools and highlighting the work being done right here by our incredible teaches, students, and staff to promote early literacy. We all know how vital these foundational skills are and I am thrilled that this funding will be used to ensure schools like Clinton Public Schools will be better equipped to ensure every child in Massachusetts has access to high-quality reading instruction from the very beginning,” said Representative Meghan Kilcoyne (D-Clinton). “This program is not just an investment in education; it’s an investment in our future. By prioritizing literacy, we empower our students with the foundational skills they need to succeed throughout their lives.” 

"Improving literacy has profound effects on bettering lives at any age, but efforts made with students in early education can make a monumental difference by giving children the foundation to reach their full potential,” said Clinton Town Manager Michael J. Ward. “Literacy Launch is making that happen here in Clinton. Congratulations to the Clinton Public Schools on this recognition and for the importance they place on reading and literacy. I am proud of the successes they are having with funding under this program and thank Governor Healey for recognizing the need and for her support in helping our children."