Center for Instructional Support

English Language Arts and Literacy

Popular ELA and Literacy Links

Mass Literacy
Adolescent Literacy Intervention Selection Tool (A-LIST)
Early Literacy Screening Assessment
PRISM Grant
Early Literacy High-Dosage Tutoring

Literacy Plan for Massachusetts

The current Literacy Plan for Massachusetts is called "An Excellent Education in ELA and Literacy for ALL." This document describes the initiatives and projects of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to work towards our vision of an excellent ELA/Literacy education for every student in Massachusetts.

Early Literacy Screening Assessments

Universal Screening is conducted to identify students who may be at risk for poor learning outcomes so that targeted, responsive instruction may be provided. Visit the Early Literacy Screening Assessment page to view the list of assessments approved by DESE.

DESE Continues Update of Early Literacy Screening Assessments and Guidance

Following two years of implementation, DESE is updating the Early Literacy Screening Approved Assessment List and accompanying Guidance to build on existing research-aligned work and reflect feedback from educators across the Commonwealth. This update includes a revised approved early literacy screening assessment list in English, expanded evaluation of screening tools in languages other than English—beginning with Spanish, Portuguese, and French—and revisions to the guidance document.

Thank you to the many educators and stakeholders who shared feedback through the recent survey. Input collected will directly inform updates to the guidance and the development of future supports.

Updated guidance and a refreshed screener list will be released in Summer/Fall 2026, with implementation of any changes by July 1, 2027.

ELA/Literacy Learning Standards and Resources

Standards-Based Learning Videos

Elementary

Secondary

Contacts for ELA and Literacy

Last Updated: March 5, 2026

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