Launchpad Schools Initiative

Field-based experiences are critical to teacher candidates' development of the knowledge and skills necessary for success early in their careers. Teacher candidates who work with strong supervising practitioners are better prepared to serve all students on their first day of teaching (TPI-US 2023). For that reason, the 2024 Early Literacy Program Approval Criteria requires that educator preparation programs (EPPs) place prospective Early Childhood, Elementary, and Moderate Disabilities PK–2/PK–8 educators with supervising practitioners who can model evidence-based early literacy practices and support their deep understanding of how to nurture each and every student's literacy development.

The goal of the Launchpad Schools initiative is to identify and elevate the practitioners, classrooms, and schools that are well-suited to serve as sites for field-based experiences so that future teachers are able to observe and learn evidence-based early literacy practices. Designation as a Launchpad School signals effective and coherent systems, materials, and staff that advance evidence-based early literacy practices across the building as well as a commitment to partnering with educator preparation programs on the shared goal of supporting teacher candidates' development of evidence-based early literacy.

Countdown to Launch Grant

Schools that are interested in becoming Launchpad Schools are encouraged to apply for the Countdown to Launch grant, which is expected to go live in August 2026. Throughout the 2026–2027 school year, schools with successful Countdown to Launch grant applications will receive funding for initiatives that build capacity to support teacher candidates' development of evidence-based early literacy instruction. Schools will also receive compensation for their participation in Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE walkthroughs, touchpoint meetings, and data collection to support their evaluation as a Launchpad School at the conclusion of the school year.

The following criteria will be used to determine designation as a Launchpad School. The criteria, and associated application questions and rubrics, were refined in partnership with a working group of PK–12 educators and leaders and Educator Preparation Program EPP faculty and personnel.

The domains below outline key focus areas that support strong field-based experiences and are intended to promote shared expectations and continuous improvement across schools and educator preparation programs.

The indicators associated with each domain describe key aspects of practice that support high-quality field-based experiences aligned to the Mass Literacy Guide.

Domain I: Evidence-Based Early Literacy Instruction Aligned with Mass Literacy Guide	Domain II: High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM)	Domain III: Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)	Domain IV: Schoolwide Systems and Structures
Ia.) A protected Tier I core literacy block contains all components of literacy instruction (oral language, foundational skills, engaging with complex text, writing).	IIa.) High-Quality Instructional Materials, as defined by Curriculum Ratings by Teachers CURATE, are used as the core curriculum.	IIIa.) The school follows a process for identifying students for additional supports and determining readiness to exit supports.	IVa.) District and school leaders are trained and experienced in evidence-based early literacy practices.
Ib.) Instructional practices support language and vocabulary development aligned to grade-appropriate World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment WIDA standards.	IIb.) Ongoing training and support are provided to all teachers.	IIIb.) Educators use literacy screening and progress monitoring tools to make instructional decisions.	IVb.) Structures are in place that support integration of teacher candidates into school systems and routines.
Ic.) Instructional practices support foundational skills, including phonological awareness, phonics and decoding, encoding, and fluency.	IIc.) Teachers implement High-Quality Instructional Materials HQIM with integrity and are empowered to make informed adaptations to meet the needs of student population.	IIIc.) The school holds regular data meetings to analyze student data and actively inform instructional decisions.	IVc.) Qualified supervising practitioners are trained in evidence-based literacy practices and provided with sufficient time and resources to support teacher candidates.
Id.) Instructional practices support reading and language comprehension.	-	-	IVd.) Common planning time and/or professional learning communities are built into the schedule.
Ie.) Instructional practices support writing, including handwriting, conventions, process, and craft.	-	-	IVe.) A culture of continuous improvement encourages all stakeholders to better themselves as literacy instructors.

The timeline below provides a drafted overview of Year One of the Launchpad Schools Initiative and the Countdown to Launch grant, which is subject to change depending on funding and stakeholder input.

Summer 2026

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE announces the Launchpad Schools Initiative
Countdown to Launch application goes live!

Fall 2026

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE scores "Countdown to Launch" Grant Applications and selects up to 10 "Countdown to Launch" schools
"Countdown to Launch" Awardees are announced and can start grant activities, including grant programming that: (1) strengthens early literacy outcomes for pre-service and/or in-service teachers, and (2) establishes and/or deepens partnerships with educator preparation programs

Winter/Spring 2027

"Countdown to Launch" school personnel continue to engage in professional learning and support opportunities

Late Spring/Summer 2027

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE hosts a Launchpad Schools event
"Countdown to Launch" schools submit applications to be designated as a Launchpad School
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE publishes the list of the first Cohort of Launchpad Schools to this webpage
Application for Cohort 2 of the "Countdown to Launch" Grant goes live!

Pending funding, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE will accept a new cohort of Countdown to Launch schools each year and will select schools from each cohort to be added to a list of designated Launchpad Schools.

Designation as a Launchpad School is an honor indicating that the school implements strong evidence-based early literacy practices and could serve as a training ground for teacher candidates. The designation also signals that these schools are strong potential partners for educator preparation providers.

When districts and Educator Preparation Programs EPPs establish strong partnerships, districts may benefit from:

Guidance and support for shared problems of practice.
Professional learning opportunities for teachers.
Access to an educator pipeline.
Tutoring for PK–12 students through teacher candidates' pre-practicum experiences.
Co-teaching models through teacher candidates' practicum experiences.
Shared understanding of the research in evidence-based early literacy.

Contingent on funding, supervising practitioners in Launchpad Schools will also receive a stipend for hosting teacher candidates.

Partnering with a Launchpad School is a great way to strengthen your sponsoring organization's teacher candidate preparation in evidence-based early literacy as outlined in the 2024 Early Literacy Program Approval Criteria. Launchpad Schools are committed to evidence-based early literacy and are interested in building and/or deepening partnerships with sponsoring organizations. Partnering with a Launchpad School offers Educator Preparation Programs EPPs opportunities to:

Strengthen the bridge between theory and application in coursework through observation and practice opportunities for teacher candidates.
Provide candidates with robust pre-practicum and practicum experience under the guidance of an effective supervising practitioner.
Gain access to curricular materials and assessments that support teacher candidates' development of curricular literacy.
Learn from colleagues and ground coursework in the realities of PK–3 classrooms.
Support PK–12 educators' professional development and career advancement.
Build stronger educator pipelines.

Coming soon!

Coming Spring 2027

List of Cohort 1 Countdown to Launch schools coming Fall 2026!

List of Cohort 1 Launchpad Schools coming Summer 2027!

References

TPI-US. (2023, February 6). Examining clinical placements & mentor selection [Working paper]. TPI-US.

Last Updated: July 30, 2026