Mass. General Laws c.71 § 57B

Regulations to require districts to adopt literacy screening procedures and protocols for students in kindergarten through grade 3; data reporting

This is an unofficial version of a Massachusetts General Law.

Updates

Added by St. 2026, c. 113, § 11 effective September 24, 2026

Section 57B

(a)

For the purposes of this section and section 57C, the term “screening assessments” shall mean tools and assessments that can be used to identify students at risk for poor academic outcomes as determined by the department.

(b)

The commissioner, in consultation with the department of early education and care, shall issue regulations requiring districts to adopt screening procedures and protocols for reading ability and progress in literacy skills for all students in kindergarten through grade 3 using screening assessments. The regulations shall include a threshold at which a student is determined to be significantly below the grade level benchmark; provided, however, that said screening procedures and protocols shall account for the needs of English language learners. The commissioner shall annually make publicly available on the department’s website data on which screening assessments are employed by each district to conduct reading screening.

Last updated:	June 26, 2026