The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced Tuesday that it is awarding over $9 million in Partnership for Reading Success – Massachusetts (PRISM) I continuation grants to 15 school districts as part of Gov. Maura Healey’s Literacy Launch initiative.
These grants enable districts to implement high-quality, evidence-based reading instruction through literacy materials, technical support, coaching, and professional development.
Literacy Launch: Reading Success from Age 3 through Grade 3 is a multi-year early literacy initiative to help districts transition to evidence-based early literacy programs. This funding represents a key investment in the future of early learners, helping equip students with the reading and writing skills necessary for academic success and lifelong learning.
“Literacy Launch is a historic investment in early literacy for our students. These continuation grants represent our commitment to make sure all of our students can read and read well,” Healey said. “I want to thank the legislature for their continued support of Literacy Launch and partnership in this important work.”
Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said, “Ensuring every student has access to high-quality, evidence-based instruction in early literacy is essential for Massachusetts families. Through PRISM I continuation grants, we are providing children the support they need to excel and thrive in the future.”
The second year of this multi-year strategy is supported by the fiscal year 2026 budget and the federal Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant. Awardees will receive:
- Professional development
- Support to continue partnerships with community-based preschool providers to align evidence-based early curriculum, instruction, and assessment across the community
- Funding for early literacy screening assessments, coaching support, and to cover staffing costs for roles like literacy coaches or reading specialists through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in partnership with the Department of Early Education and Care
“Culturally and linguistically sustaining practices and evidence-based early literacy are fundamental to achieving excellence and equity in education,” Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “The PRISM I program will continue to help districts improve literacy programming, ensuring that our youngest learners build a strong literacy foundation that will support their success throughout their education.”
Pedro Martinez, commissioner of elementary and secondary education, said, “The PRISM I continuation grants are designed to help districts make lasting improvements in how they deliver early literacy early literacy instruction. These structures will continue supporting student success long after the grant period ends.”
Department of Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw said, “The continuation of the PRISM I grants is essential to advancing our statewide commitment to early literacy. Providing educators with the tools and training they need to strengthen literacy instruction ensures that every child has the opportunity to build a strong foundation in reading to support success in school and beyond.”
Tuesday’s grant awards come after a summer of investments the administration and state legislature have made in literacy:
- The administration launched the first Literacy Launch Institutes which provide free, in-person early literacy training and professional development for nearly 600 educators from across the state in August.
- The administration visited Easthampton to award $9.3 million in Literacy Launch PRISM II grants to 30 school districts to help implement high-quality early literacy instructional materials.
- The administration also awarded $3.3 million in PRISM III literacy grants to 25 school districts to support the purchase of high-quality instructional materials for grades 4-12 and professional learning support.
- The administration celebrated Massachusetts’ $25 million investment in no-cost, high-dosage early literacy tutoring for 272 elementary schools with a classroom visit to Dewing Elementary School in Tewksbury.
- The administration awarded $800,000 in grants to 17 school districts and 14 colleges to support over 350 teacher candidates this year to complete their elementary, early childhood, or moderate disabilities teacher preparation programs.
“Few things are more important than ensuring every child has access to high-quality reading and literacy education from a young age,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “The Senate was proud to secure these dollars in our budget, and I applaud the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their commitment to this initiative and for quickly delivering these resources to districts across the Commonwealth.”
Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education Jason Lewis added, “Strong investment in evidence-based and culturally responsive early literacy programs supports our children from day one and sets them up for success down the line. These grants will support professional development for teachers, the purchasing of evidence-based literacy materials, costs for reading coaches and specialists, and more to ensure students have the tools they need to learn to read.”
The PRISM I continuation grant recipients include Lynn Public Schools with $1,833,000, Peabody Public Schools with $1,002,600, and Salem Public Schools with $263,716.
