Educator Effectiveness

Early Literacy Preparation Program Approval Ratings

Early Literacy Program Reviews in Massachusetts hold sponsoring organizations accountable to the 2024 Early Literacy Program Approval Criteria and support continuous improvement in Elementary, Early Childhood, and Moderate Disabilities PK-2/PK-8 licensure programs. The Early Literacy Program Review process is designed to recognize sponsoring organizations’ varied contexts and structures, elevate stakeholder perspectives, gather a comprehensive evidence base for decision-making, and drive toward increasingly positive experiences and outcomes for preparation candidates and the PK-12 students they impact in their licensure roles.

As part of the review process, DESE collects information about programmatic structures and personnel; engages with leadership, faculty, candidates, completers, and partners to learn more about the organization’s approach to evidence-based early literacy instruction; analyzes the program of study, early literacy coursework and syllabi, and clinical placement sites; conducts up to five observations of courses; and reviews candidate artifacts of practice, including observations and feedback of candidates’ early literacy practice.

DESE staff with expertise in evidence-based early literacy practices evaluate the full body of collected evidence and make criterion- and domain-level rating recommendations for each program, weighing evidence of impact most heavily in review ratings. A DESE team vets these recommendations for consistency and drafts a summary report. The Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education makes an approval determination for each program and DESE releases the final report to the sponsoring organization.

A program’s approval determination reflects the cumulative impact of judgments made throughout the review process and is meant to signal to a sponsoring organization and external stakeholders the overall quality of preparation in evidence-based early literacy instruction within the licensure program.

There are five potential approval determinations:

  • Approved with Distinction
  • Approved
  • Approved with Conditions
  • Probationary Approval
  • Not Approved

Organization/ProgramReview YearDetermination
Anna Maria College: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2025–2026Closed Spring 2026
Anna Maria College: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2025–2026Closed Spring 2026
Anna Maria College: Moderate Disabilities PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2025–2026Closed Spring 2026
Anna Maria College: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2025–2026Closed Spring 2026
American International College: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: July 2027]
American International College: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: July 2027]
American International College: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: July 2027]
American International College: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: July 2027]
Assumption College: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Assumption College: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Bay Path University: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
Bay Path University: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
Bay Path University: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
Bay Path University: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
Bay Path University: Moderate Disabilities PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
Bay Path University: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
Bay Path University: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
Boston College: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: Spring 2029]
Boston College: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: Spring 2029]
Boston College: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: Spring 2029]
Boston College: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: Spring 2029]
Boston Public Schools Teaching Fellowship: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2025–2026Program scheduled to close by August 2027
Boston Public Schools Teaching Fellowship: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2025–2026[Coming: Spring 2027]
Boston Teacher Residency: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: Summer 2028]
Boston University: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Baccalaureate2025–2026[Coming: Fall 2026]
Boston University: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2025–2026[Coming: Fall 2026]
Boston University: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Baccalaureate2025–2026[Coming: Fall 2026]
Boston University: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2025–2026[Coming: Fall 2026]
Boston University: Moderate Disabilities, PreK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2025–2026[Coming: Fall 2026]
Boston University: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Baccalaureate2025–2026[Coming: Fall 2026]
Boston University: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2025–2026[Coming: Fall 2026]
Brandeis University: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Baccalaureate2025–2026Approved with Conditions
Bridgewater State University: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Bridgewater State University: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Bridgewater State University: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Bridgewater State University: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Bridgewater State University: Moderate Disabilities PK–2, Initial, Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Bridgewater State University: Moderate Disabilities PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Bridgewater State University: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Bridgewater State University: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Cambridge College: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2027–2028Program will be transferring to Bay Path University once its acquisition of Cambridge College is finalized.
Cambridge College: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2027–2028Program will be transferring to Bay Path University once its acquisition of Cambridge College is finalized.
Cambridge College: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2027–2028Program will be transferring to Bay Path University once its acquisition of Cambridge College is finalized.
Catherine Leahy Brine Educational Consultants, Inc: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2025–2026[Coming: Spring 2027]
Catherine Leahy Brine Educational Consultants, Inc: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2025–2026[Coming: Spring 2027]
Catherine Leahy Brine Educational Consultants, Inc: Moderate Disabilities PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2025–2026[Coming: Spring 2027]
Clark University: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2025–2026Approved
Curry College: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
Curry College: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
Curry College: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
Curry College: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
Curry College: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
Elms College: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Elms College: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Elms College: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Elms College: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Elms College: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Elms College: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Emmanuel College: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
Emmanuel College: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
Endicott College: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
Endicott College: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
Endicott College: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
Endicott College: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
Endicott College: Moderate Disabilities PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
Endicott College: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
Fitchburg State University: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
Fitchburg State University: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
Fitchburg State University: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
Fitchburg State University: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
Fitchburg State University: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
Fitchburg State University: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
Framingham State University: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Framingham State University: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Framingham State University: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Framingham State University: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Framingham State University: Moderate Disabilities, PreK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Framingham State University: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Gordon College: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Gordon College: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Gordon College: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Gordon College: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Gordon College: Moderate Disabilities, PreK–2, Initial, Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Gordon College: Moderate Disabilities, PreK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Gordon College: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Gordon College: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Lasell University: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Lasell University: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Lasell University: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Lasell University: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Lesley University: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: July 2027]
Lesley University: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: July 2027]
Lesley University: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: July 2027]
Lesley University: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: July 2027]
Lesley University: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: July 2027]
Lesley University: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: July 2027]
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: July 2027]
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: July 2027]
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: July 2027]
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: July 2027]
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: July 2027]
Merrimack College: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: July 2027]
Merrimack College: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: July 2027]
Merrimack College: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: July 2027]
Merrimack College: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: July 2027]
Merrimack College: Moderate Disabilities, PreK–8, Initial, Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: July 2027]
Merrimack College: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: July 2027]
Mount Holyoke College: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Mount Holyoke College:: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Mount Holyoke College: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Mount Holyoke College: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Mount Holyoke College: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Northeastern University: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2024 – 2025Approved with Conditions
Northeastern University: Moderate Disabilities, PreK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2024 – 2025Closed Spring 2026
Regis College: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Regis College: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Regis College: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Salem State University: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: July 2027]
Salem State University: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: July 2027]
Salem State University: Moderate Disabilities PK–2, Initial, Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: July 2027]
Salem State University: Moderate Disabilities PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: July 2027]
Salem State University: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: July 2027]
Salem State University: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: July 2027]
Simmons University: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
Simmons University: Moderate Disabilities, PreK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
Smith College: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: Fall 2027]
Smith College: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: Fall 2027]
Springfield College: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Baccalaureate2025–2026Approved with Conditions
Springfield College: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2025–2026Probationary Approval
Springfield College: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Baccalaureate2025–2026Approved with Conditions
Springfield College: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2025–2026Probationary Approval
Springfield College: Moderate Disabilities PK–2, Initial, Baccalaureate2025–2026Approved with Conditions
Springfield College: Moderate Disabilities, PreK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2025–2026Probationary Approval
Springfield College: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Baccalaureate2025–2026Approved with Conditions
Springfield College: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2025–2026Probationary Approval
Stonehill College: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Baccalaureate2025–2026[Coming: July 2026]
Stonehill College: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Baccalaureate2025–2026[Coming: July 2026]
Stonehill College: Moderate Disabilities, PreK–2, Initial, Baccalaureate2025–2026[Coming: July 2026]
Stonehill College: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Baccalaureate2025–2026[Coming: July 2026]
Stonehill College: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2025–2026[Coming: July 2026]
Teach for America: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Teach for America: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Teacher Training Center at the Shady Hill School: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: July 2027]
Teacher Training Center at the Shady Hill School: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: July 2027]
Teach Western Massachusetts: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: Spring 2028]
Teach Western Massachusetts: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: Spring 2028]
University of Massachusetts Amherst: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Baccalaureate2025–2026[Coming: Spring 2027]
University of Massachusetts Amherst: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2025–2026[Coming: Spring 2027]
University of Massachusetts Amherst: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Baccalaureate2025–2026[Coming: Spring 2027]
University of Massachusetts Amherst: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2025–2026[Coming: Spring 2027]
University of Massachusetts Amherst: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Baccalaureate2025–2026[Coming: Spring 2027]
University of Massachusetts Amherst: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2025–2026[Coming: Spring 2027]
University of Massachusetts Boston: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
University of Massachusetts Boston: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
University of Massachusetts Boston: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
University of Massachusetts Boston: Moderate Disabilities PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
University of Massachusetts Boston: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: July 2028]
University of Massachusetts Lowell: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: Spring 2029]
University of Massachusetts Lowell: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: Spring 2029]
University of Massachusetts Lowell: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: Spring 2029]
Wellesley College: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Baccalaureate2028–2029Closed Fall 2025
Western New England University: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Baccalaureate2026–2027[Coming: July 2027]
Westfield State University: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: Spring 2029]
Westfield State University: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: Spring 2029]
Westfield State University: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: Spring 2029]
Westfield State University: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: Spring 2029]
Westfield State University: Moderate Disabilities, PreK–2, Initial, Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: Spring 2029]
Westfield State University: Moderate Disabilities, PreK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: Spring 2029]
Westfield State University: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: Spring 2029]
Westfield State University: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2027–2028[Coming: Spring 2029]
Wheaton College: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Baccalaureate2025–2026[Coming: July 2026]
Wheaton College: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Baccalaureate2025–2026[Coming: July 2026]
Worcester State University: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Worcester State University: Early Childhood PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Worcester State University: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Worcester State University: Elementary 1–6, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Worcester State University: Moderate Disabilities PK–2, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]
Worcester State University: Moderate Disabilities PK–8, Initial, Post-Baccalaureate2028–2029[Coming: July 2029]

Last Updated: June 5, 2026

Top