For each set of regulations, public comment may be submitted by completing the form below, or by emailing the address below, or by submitting written comment via mail to: Regulations Public Comment, c/o Commissioner’s Office, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149.
Link to Memo, Proposed Regulations, and Proposed Amendments to Current Regulations can be found at this link: Board Documents: October 2026 - Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE)
Regulatory Authority: Massachusetts General Laws M.G.L. c. 69, § 1B; Chapter 113 of the Acts of 2026.
Summary of Proposed Amendments: In June, Governor Healey signed An Act Relative to Teacher Preparation and Student Literacy (Bill H.5511 ), legislation designed to provide schools and educators with additional tools to support early literacy across the Commonwealth. The new law establishes requirements related to high-quality K–3 literacy curricula, universal literacy screening, and educator preparation. The law also requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to draft new regulations, and revise existing ones, to carry out these goals. The proposed regulations include a new section of regulations to be located at 603 Code of Massachusetts Regulations CMR 58.00 (Early Literacy), moving and updating the existing Early Literacy Screening regulations from 603 Code of Massachusetts Regulations CMR 28.03(f) to the new section, and updating existing statutory citations in Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE’s regulations to correspond to statutes that were re-numbered. In accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, Massachusetts General Laws M.G.L. c. 30A, § 3, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education invites written comments on the proposed regulations.
Link to Public Comment Submission Form: Public Comment: Student Literacy Act Regulations, October 2026
Email Address to Submit Public Comment or Questions: instructionalsupport@mass.gov .
Public Comment Deadline: December 28, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
Anticipated Board Vote: January 19, 2027
Last Updated: October 28, 2026