Bill > S2855

This bill aims to improve literacy instruction in Massachusetts schools by establishing comprehensive guidelines for evidence-based literacy education. The legislation requires school districts to select high-quality curricula for kindergarten through third grade that include instruction in five research-based reading areas: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will be responsible for creating and maintaining a list of approved high-quality professional development programs, online training modules, and curricula aligned with scientific reading research. Districts will be required to conduct screening assessments of students' reading abilities at least twice per school year, and if a student is found to be significantly below grade-level benchmarks, the district must inform parents and develop a plan to support the student's literacy development. The bill also allows districts to apply for waivers to use curricula not on the department's approved list, subject to review and potential audit. Additionally, the legislation mandates that educator preparation programs align with evidence-based literacy instruction, and requires annual reporting of literacy-related data to track progress. School districts will need to include their plans for implementing high-quality curricula in their three-year strategic plans, with full implementation expected by August 1, 2028.

Budget and Finance

Committee on Education (Joint)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S2855