Early Literacy in Educator Preparation: Resource Hub

In Spring 2024, DESE launched the Early Literacy Consortium Grant, a funding opportunity to support deeper partnerships between PK–12 schools and educator preparation providers who are committed to advancing evidence-based early literacy instruction. Six regional consortia were awarded the grant and began developing programming, professional development, and/or strategic planning to improve literacy practices in their classrooms and programs of study.

DESE is thrilled to announce that the FY26 Early Literacy Consortium Grant has been awarded to seven regional consortia. The grant funds will support partnerships between 17 public school districts and 14 educator preparation programs, allowing both pre-K-12 educators and educator preparation faculty to deepen understanding of evidence-based literacy practices, learn from each other, and better prepare educators to meet the literacy needs of all learners.

Grant awards were tiered depending on the consortium's stage of development, from visioning to planning to expanding the consortium's mission. The grant recipients and the districts and programs they will work with are:

• Hadley Public Schools with University of Massachusetts Amherst: $10,000
• Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District with Agawam Public Schools, the Dudley-Charlton Regional School District, Gateway Regional School District, West Springfield Public Schools, American International College, Springfield College, Western New England University and Worcester State University: $190,000
• Smith College with the Frontier Regional School District, Northampton Public Schools, Shutesbury Public Schools, South Hadley Public Schools and Mount Holyoke College: $199,284
• Springfield Public Schools with East Longmeadow Public Schools, American International College, Bay Path University, Elms College, Springfield College, and Westfield State University: $190,716
• Stonehill College with Braintree Public Schools, Milton Public Schools, Randolph Public Schools and Curry College: $190,00
• Waltham Public Schools with Brandeis University: $10,000
• Worcester Public Schools with Assumption University and Clark University: $10,000

To learn more about this funding opportunity, visit the Early Literacy Consortium RFP, email Siobhan Allen , or check out these resources:

• Early Literacy Consortium Grant: Application Planner
• FAQ about the Early Literacy Consortium Grant
• Slide deck from the Early Literacy Consortium Grant Information Session

The Partnership for Reading Success — Massachusetts (PRISM) I grant is a component of Literacy Launch, an initiative to promote early literacy success for all Massachusetts students. During year one of the grant, 13 districts (listed below) were awarded grant funds to engage in an equity-focused literacy improvement planning process and operationalization of that plan in order to implement and sustain an evidence-based, culturally and linguistically sustaining multi-tiered system of support for literacy in grades PreK–3.

As part of their continuing work through this grant program, in FY26, PRISM I districts will identify at least one educator preparation program who will become a PRISM I partner. Only educator preparation programs that offer one or more of the following licensure programs may be considered for PRISM I partnership: Elementary, Early Childhood, Moderate Disabilities PK–2/ PK–8. These educator preparation programs can be represented on the PRISM I Leadership Team and will participate in the work of PRISM I, including professional development opportunities, access to materials and resources, and attendance at regular PRISM I Leadership team meetings.

PRISM I Grant Recipients:

• Brockton Public Schools
• Framingham Public Schools
• Gateway Regional School District (partnering with Farmington River Regional School District)
• Haverhill Public Schools
• Holyoke Public Schools
• Lynn Public Schools
• Nashoba Regional School District
• New Bedford Public Schools
• Northborough Public Schools (partnering with Southborough Public Schools)
• Norwood Public Schools
• Peabody Public Schools
• Salem Public Schools
• Stoneham Public Schools

This asynchronous online course is offered by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as part of the Commonwealth's Mass Literacy initiative, a statewide effort to empower educators with the evidence-based practices for literacy that all students need. It is available at no cost to any educator who works in a Massachusetts education organization (e.g., public or private school/school district; institute of higher education; local, regional, or state educational organization).

The course is designed to provide learning experiences that support participants to deepen their understanding of how to:

Teach literacy using evidence-based instructional practices for foundational skills and engaging with complex text.

Utilize a multi-tiered system of support for students experiencing reading difficulties.

Sponsoring organizations are able to register groups of educators for the course. Faculty and program supervisors who have taken the course to bolster their understanding of Mass Literacy have stated that the course was a "great review of the components of literacy" and "allowed for better discussion with colleagues about early literacy expectations." If interested, email online@keystoliteracy.com for a group registration form. Please include "Mass Literacy Online Course" in the subject line.

In Spring 2024, DESE launched a professional learning community (PLC) for education preparation faculty to engage with the new Early Literacy Program Approval Criteria. The PLC, facilitated by The Reading Circuit, was designed to support faculty as they ensure that teacher candidates in Elementary, Early Childhood, and Moderate Disabilities PK-8 licensure programs are well prepared in evidence-based, culturally and linguistically sustaining early literacy instruction.

Over the 2024 -2025 school year, the early literacy professional learning communities expanded to include a second cohort. To learn more about their work, access agendas from the PLC meetings, and view the resource library curated by participants, please reach out to Siobhan.m.allen@mass.gov .

This year, participants from previous cohorts joined together to continue learning. DESE also launched a PLC for Leaders of Educator Preparation Programs designed to bring together deans, program directors, and other administrators responsible for programmatic and financial decision-making within licensure programs. This PLC provides a structured, collegial forum for leaders to examine DESE's 2024 Early Literacy Program Approval Criteria and to plan for strategic alignment across coursework, clinical experiences, staffing, and resource allocation.

Stay tuned for more information about upcoming opportunities to join a learning community in SY26-27!

On September 20, 2022, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education adopted an amendment to 603 CMR 28.03 that requires all elementary schools to assess each student's reading abilities and early literacy skills at least twice per year from kindergarten through at least third grade. The regulation, 603 CMR 28.03(1)(f), went into effect on July 1, 2023. In response to this new requirement, DESE developed guidance for schools and districts to support implementation of screeners. In September 2023, DESE hosted an informational webinar for faculty of educator preparation programs to share an overview of the guidance and discuss implications for preparing teacher candidates.

You can watch a recording of the webinar . Please feel free to reach out to Linda Sewnarine, Assistant Director of the Office of Literacy and Humanities, with any questions at linda.sewnarine@mass.gov .

In Spring 2023, DESE hosted a series of webinars focused on the impact of evidence-based early literacy on more equitable outcomes for all students. The series tapped into the expertise of both national and local literacy scholars, researchers, and advocates to explore the intersection of early literacy instruction and culturally and linguistically sustaining practices and discuss the intended long-term effects of responsive early literacy instruction in disrupting historically inequitable student outcomes.

You can watch recordings of the webinars here:

• The Foundations of Early Literacy as a Tool for Equity
  Moderator: Dr. David Chard
  Panelists: Kareem Weaver, Munro Richardson, Jennifer Hogan

• Culturally Responsive Practices in Early Literacy
  Moderator: Dr. Nicole Harris
  Panelists: Dr. Tracy White Weeden, Afrika Afeni Mills, Ashley Clerge

• Early Literacy Instruction for Multilingual Learners
  Moderator: Dr. Claudia Rinaldi
  Panelists: Dr. Claude Goldenberg, Dr. Christina Budde, Mandy Hollister

For more information and links to references in the webinars, email siobhan.m.allen@mass.gov

Do you want to deepen your understanding of evidence-based and culturally and linguistically sustaining early literacy practices?

* Register Now for Literacy Launch Institutes!*

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), in collaboration with the HILL for Literacy , are thrilled to offer free professional learning to deepen understanding of evidence-based, culturally and linguistically sustaining early literacy practices.

With differentiated tracks available (Novice, Advanced, Preschool, School & District Leaders, and Educator Prep Program Faculty & Staff), there's a learning path to meet the needs of each educator across the Commonwealth.

Register now for the Friday/Saturday School Year Institutes and be ready to lift off with new tools and teaching practices that you can implement immediately!

Details about the School Year Literacy Launch Institutes:

• Open to any public school educator who supports early literacy, as well as Massachusetts educator preparation faculty, personnel, and staff
• Held in Worcester (January 30–31, February 6–7) and Northampton (February 27–28, March 6–7)
• Participants are eligible to earn PDPs, receive a stipend, and may pursue optional graduate credit

Visit Literacy Launch for more information and to register.

Expanding access to high-quality, standards-aligned curricular materials can significantly improve student outcomes, especially when teachers have the professional learning opportunities they need to make the most of those materials. In alignment with DESE's Educational Vision, the Center for Instructional Support (CIS), through its Curriculum Matters: Instructional Materials and Professional Development initiative, is committed to ensuring that all students, particularly students from historically underserved groups and communities, have opportunities to "excel at grade level work (or beyond)" through equitable access to high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) and effective teachers and leaders.

Learn more about the Curriculum Matters initiative and access resources to support teacher candidates' development of curricular literacy.

Support teacher candidates in navigating and learning about the Mass Literacy Guide. Check out the Top Resources page or visit the Recommended Reading site for spotlit resources to support your work.