News Summary
The Healey-Driscoll Administration has announced a $3.9 million investment aimed at enhancing early literacy tutoring in 84 schools across Massachusetts. This funding is part of a broader commitment to improve literacy rates among young students, particularly those in kindergarten through third grade. The initiative seeks to provide high-dosage tutoring, targeting the critical need for effective reading instruction. With mounting evidence showing the benefits of intensive tutoring, Massachusetts is striving to improve educational outcomes for all children.
Boston, MA – In a significant move to strengthen foundational learning across the Commonwealth, the Healey-Driscoll Administration recently announced a substantial allocation of $3.9 million dedicated to early literacy tutoring. This targeted investment will benefit 84 schools throughout Massachusetts, providing crucial resources to educators and directly impacting the academic trajectories of young students. It reflects a proactive approach to educational challenges, empowering local institutions to implement proven strategies that foster academic growth.
This latest funding round is a key component of a broader $25 million state investment aimed at improving literacy outcomes for children from kindergarten through third grade. Such initiatives underscore the importance of supporting our dedicated educators with the tools they need, minimizing bureaucratic hurdles, and ensuring that resources are directly channeled to where they can make the most profound difference in student achievement. By focusing on early intervention, Massachusetts is investing in the personal success of its students, laying a strong groundwork for future educational and life opportunities.
Targeted Investment in Early Literacy
The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced on January 21, 2026, a second round of funding for early literacy tutoring, totaling $3.9 million. This allocation is set to benefit 84 schools across Massachusetts, providing free, high-dosage early literacy tutoring from February through June 2026. This direct support for schools highlights a commitment to addressing critical educational needs with actionable solutions. The initiative is a component of a larger $25 million “fair share” investment designated for early literacy tutoring, which has already extended support to 272 schools, bringing the statewide total of participating schools to 356 for the current school year. This strategic deployment of resources aims to ensure that foundational reading skills are developed early, providing children with the essential tools for long-term academic success.
The “Literacy Launch” and Evidence-Based Approaches
This funding is an integral part of the state’s comprehensive Literacy Launch: Reading Success from Age 3 through Grade 3 initiative. This multi-year program aims to transform early literacy systems in public schools and community-based preschool programs across Massachusetts. A core principle of the Literacy Launch is the promotion of high-quality, evidence-based reading instruction. This focus aligns with the “science of reading,” which emphasizes systematic phonics and structured literacy, strategies widely supported by cognitive science research on how children learn to read effectively.
Recent legislation in Massachusetts further underscores this commitment, requiring school districts to adopt literacy curricula grounded in scientific research, specifically for students in kindergarten through third grade. The legislation also establishes new standards for teacher training, ensuring that educators are equipped with the most effective instructional practices. This emphasis on proven methods seeks to empower teachers with reliable tools, fostering a culture of academic excellence through informed educational innovation.
Understanding High-Dosage Tutoring
The tutoring model supported by this funding is defined as high-dosage early literacy tutoring. This evidence-based model is characterized by one-on-one or small-group instruction delivered multiple times per week for at least 10 weeks. It specifically targets students in kindergarten through third grade, aiming to build and strengthen foundational reading skills. The effectiveness of high-dosage tutoring has been demonstrated in prior initiatives within Massachusetts. During the 2023-24 school year, a high-dosage tutoring program funded by the One8 Foundation for first graders led to significant gains in reading proficiency. An analysis indicated that participating students gained an average of five and a half months of additional learning compared to normal student growth nationally. Significantly, all student subgroups, including Black students, Latino students, English learners, and students with disabilities, experienced substantial learning gains from participating in the program. This evidence highlights the potential for targeted, intensive support to close achievement gaps and promote personal achievement.
Addressing Massachusetts’ Literacy Challenges
The urgency of these literacy initiatives is underscored by current educational data. On the 2024 MCAS exams, only 42% of Massachusetts third graders met or exceeded expectations in reading. These statistics reveal a critical need for intervention and improvement. Disparities in literacy outcomes are particularly pronounced among certain student demographics; for example, 76% of low-income students, 73% of Black students, 78% of Latino students, and 86% of children with disabilities did not meet expectations on the 2024 MCAS exams. Furthermore, English Language Arts scores statewide continue to lag behind pre-pandemic levels. By focusing resources on proven tutoring models and evidence-based instruction, the state aims to reverse these troubling trends and ensure that every child has the opportunity to achieve literacy proficiency.
Empowering Schools and Engaging Families
The design of the early literacy tutoring program provides flexibility to schools, with tutoring offered in various models, including in-person and virtual formats. This adaptability allows schools to tailor programs to their specific needs, whether before, during, or after the school day, fostering local control and innovative implementation. This approach empowers school leaders and teachers to adopt solutions that best serve their student populations.
Beyond the classroom, the role of parents and families is recognized as paramount in a child’s early literacy development. Organizations such as the Massachusetts Family Literacy Consortium (MFLC) actively promote family engagement, acknowledging that robust parental involvement is a significant predictor of children’s reading and academic success. Similarly, Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) programs statewide support parent education and foster family engagement. By supporting both in-school initiatives and family involvement, Massachusetts aims to create a comprehensive ecosystem for academic growth, reinforcing the idea that education is a shared community responsibility.
Broader State and Federal Commitments
The recent $3.9 million award is part of a larger, multi-faceted financial commitment to literacy in Massachusetts. The Healey-Driscoll Administration has secured a total of $35 million in state funding for the first two years of the Literacy Launch initiative through the Fiscal Year 2025 and Fiscal Year 2026 budgets. Additionally, the state has successfully attracted significant federal investment, including a $38.4 million federal literacy grant spanning five years, awarded in September 2024. More recently, on January 13, 2026, Massachusetts received a $10 million Education Innovation and Research (EIR) grant from the U.S. Education Department specifically for early literacy tutoring, earmarked for the 2026-27 school year. These combined state and federal funds demonstrate a strong, sustained commitment to transforming early literacy education and ensuring that Massachusetts students receive the support needed to excel.
Conclusion
The latest state awards for early literacy tutoring represent a crucial step in Massachusetts’ ongoing commitment to educational excellence and student achievement. By prioritizing evidence-based interventions like high-dosage tutoring and empowering local schools with targeted funding, the Commonwealth is actively working to address significant literacy challenges. This comprehensive approach, which integrates state leadership with local flexibility and acknowledges the vital role of parental involvement, offers a hopeful path forward for Boston MA schools and classrooms statewide. Readers are encouraged to stay informed about these initiatives and consider how they might engage with their local school communities to support these vital efforts in early literacy education. Continued community involvement and advocacy are essential to foster an environment where every child can achieve personal success and thrive academically.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the recent state award for early literacy tutoring in Massachusetts?
The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced a second round of funding for early literacy tutoring, totaling $3.9 million. - How many schools in Massachusetts will receive this funding?
This allocation is set to benefit 84 schools across Massachusetts. - What is the duration of this tutoring program?
The free, high-dosage early literacy tutoring will be provided from February through June 2026. - Is this part of a larger state initiative?
Yes, this $3.9 million is part of a larger $25 million “fair share” investment designated for early literacy tutoring. It is also an integral part of the state’s comprehensive Literacy Launch: Reading Success from Age 3 through Grade 3 initiative. - What type of tutoring model is being implemented?
The tutoring model is defined as “high-dosage early literacy tutoring,” characterized by one-on-one or small-group instruction delivered multiple times per week for at least 10 weeks. - What age group does this tutoring target?
It specifically targets students in kindergarten through third grade. - What are the literacy rates among Massachusetts third graders?
On the 2024 MCAS exams, only 42% of Massachusetts third graders met or exceeded expectations in reading.
Key Features of Massachusetts’ Early Literacy Initiative
| Feature | Detail | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Latest Funding Round | $3.9 million awarded on January 21, 2026 | State-level |
| Schools Benefiting (Latest Round) | 84 schools | State-level |
| Tutoring Period (Latest Round) | February through June 2026 | State-level |
| Total State Investment for Tutoring | $25 million | State-level |
| Total Schools Participating (Current Year) | 356 schools | State-level |
| Overarching Initiative | Literacy Launch: Reading Success from Age 3 through Grade 3 | State-level |
| Total State Funding for Literacy Launch | $35 million for FY25 and FY26 | State-level |
| Federal Literacy Grant | $38.4 million over five years (awarded Sep 2024) | State-level |
| Federal EIR Grant | $10 million for 2026-27 school year (awarded Jan 2026) | State-level |
| Tutoring Model | High-dosage (one-on-one or small-group, multiple times/week for ≥10 weeks) | State-level |
| Target Grades | Kindergarten through third grade | State-level |
| 2024 MCAS 3rd Grade Reading Proficiency | 42% met or exceeded expectations | State-level |
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