Early Reading Performance in Massachusetts

Are Massachusetts students in grades K–3 reaching critical early reading benchmarks?

A analysis sheds light on the early literacy performance of students across Massachusetts.

Since 2020, a large group of Massachusetts school districts have shared their students' early literacy screening assessment data with DESE, as part of participating in DESE programs and grants . DESE and research partner WestEd have analyzed that data to examine important questions such as:

What proportion of Massachusetts experience risk of reading difficulties in grades K–3?
How do different groups of students in Massachusetts progress in reading over time?
When it comes to risk of early reading difficulties, what disparities exist among student groups?

Findings from this research allow DESE to better support schools and districts.

Read the full report released in 2024

Early Literacy Performance in Massachusetts

Read the highlights released in 2024

Highlights from Early Literacy Performance and Progress in Massachusetts

Zooming in on Key Questions: Read the Issue Briefs released in 2024

Intersections: Student Background and Early Literacy Performance
Early literacy screening assessment results reveal complex relationships between students' identity characteristics and early reading outcomes
Early Literacy Screening Assessment Benchmarks: What "At Risk of Reading Difficulty" Means
DESE's approved early literacy screening assessments measure reading proficiency and define "risk" differently

Prior Reporting

The reports below were released in 2023 and reflect student data collected between 2020-2022.

Read the full report released in 2023: First Look at Early Reading Performance in Massachusetts

Opportunity Gaps
Early literacy screening assessment results reveal racial and linguistic disparities, reflecting opportunity gaps in the education system
Supporting Students Early
Students experiencing reading difficulties make more progress towards meeting benchmark in earlier grades, reducing the risk of unnecessary learning struggles in the future
Comparing Early Literacy Screening Benchmarks in Massachusetts
Screening assessments measure reading proficiency and define "risk" differently

Data Sharing

For schools and districts sharing early literacy screening data with DESE in 2025, please use the instructions below to submit your data.

Supporting Evidence-Based Early Literacy

Since defining evidence-based early literacy as a priority in the 2019 Statewide Literacy Strategic Plan, DESE has offered a wide range of resources to support schools with evidence-based practices in early literacy. We invite you to learn more and get involved!

Check out the Mass Literacy Guide, a one-stop shop for resources and up-to-date literacy information for Massachusetts
Take a free online Mass Literacy Online Overview course
Check out DESE's Catalog of Aligned Supports for many literacy grants and support programs for schools and districts
Sign up for the Literacy & Humanities newsletter to stay updated on new resources and offerings

Last Updated: May 7, 2025