Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Literacy Launch Grant for Instructional Materials Partnership for Reading Success

EVERETT — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is accepting applications from school districts, collaboratives, and partner community-based preschools for the second cohort of the Partnership for Reading Success – Massachusetts (PRISM) II grant program.

Part of Governor Maura Healey’s Literacy Launch: Reading Success from Age 3 through Grade 3 initiative, PRISM II helps schools evaluate, select, purchase, launch, and implement high-quality instructional materials in pre-K through third grade in order to strengthen early literacy instruction.

"Reading is the foundation for every child’s success in school and in life,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Through Literacy Launch and programs like PRISM, we are helping school districts bring strong reading instruction into classrooms and giving more students the tools they need to thrive.”

“Supporting strong reading instruction early in a child’s education makes a lasting difference,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “PRISM II gives districts the resources and support they need to implement high-quality literacy instruction and help more students succeed.”

PRISM II is designed to empower educators with hands-on support, evidence-based instructional materials, and expert guidance to help schools implement inclusive and culturally and linguistically sustaining literacy learning experiences for every student.

Grants to the first cohort of PRISM II recipients have already supported 31 districts representing 98 schools statewide, including 65 schools that are implementing high-quality instructional materials and 33 other schools that are preparing to implement new materials during the next school year.

“PRISM II supports districts not only in adopting high-quality materials, but also in building the routines, structures, and collaborative leadership needed for successful implementation,” said Acting Education Secretary Amy Kershaw. “This work strengthens coherence across classrooms and ensures early literacy instruction is inclusive, rigorous, and aligned with evidence-based practices.”

“High-quality instructional materials are a key part of improving early literacy outcomes,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “The funding for the second cohort of PRISM II will help additional districts implement strong, standards-aligned literacy curricula and help address disparities in access and achievement.”

PRISM II is intended for districts that are ready to purchase high-quality instructional materials or to engage in a comprehensive process to evaluate and select materials aligned to DESE’s IMplement MA guidance. Applicants can apply to one of two tracks:

• Track 1 recipients will receive one year of funding to support the purchase of selected curricular materials and optional publisher-provided professional development.
• Track 2 recipients may receive up to two years of funding and hands-on technical assistance, including participation in DESE’s IMplement MA: Evaluate and Select High-Quality Instructional Materials Network to evaluate and select materials.

DESE will prioritize applicants that demonstrate a commitment to addressing early literacy achievement disparities and strengthening systems that support multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and students from low-income communities.

The request for proposals (RFP) for PRISM II Cohort 2 is available through DESE’s Literacy Launch website. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 11.

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