- Governor Maura Healey and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll
- Executive Office of Education
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Karissa Hand, Press Secretary
EVERETT — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that 84 schools in Massachusetts have been selected to receive free, high-dosage early literacy tutoring for February through June 2026. This second round of funding to districts totals $3.9 million and is part of the $25 million fair share investment that has already funded early literacy tutoring in 272 schools — bringing the total number of participating schools 356 statewide for the current school year.
High-dosage tutoring program provides one-on-one or small-group instruction multiple times per week for at least 10 weeks to help students in kindergarten through third grade build foundational reading skills. The initiative, launched by Governor Maura Healey, is part of the administration’s comprehensive strategy to improve literacy outcomes across Massachusetts.
“It is essential that teachers and schools have the resources necessary to support every young reader,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This initiative expands access to intensive early literacy tutoring for students who need it most, helping them build the foundational skills critical for long-term success. In partnership with the Legislature, we are delivering the support schools need to ensure every learner can succeed.”
“Through Literacy Launch and targeted initiatives like high-dosage tutoring, we are making good on our commitment to improving literacy education across Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These are evidence-based interventions and will help give students a strong foundation for future learning.”
Offered through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the second round of this initiative will provide additional schools and districts with tutors at no cost to the school or student. The tutoring will be offered in flexible models—including in-person and virtual formats—designed to meet schools’ needs before, during and after the school day. DESE has selected qualified tutoring providers to partner with schools, and first grade students are a priority for this initiative, as first grade is a crucial year to solidify early reading skills.
“When schools have access to evidence-based, culturally sustaining tutoring programs, students are more likely to reach the critical milestone of reading proficiently by third grade,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “By focusing on first grade—a pivotal year for learning to read—this initiative supports students at a key moment in their academic development.”
“Learning to read in first grade is a critical milestone on the path to long-term success in school and beyond,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “We are committed to ensuring every Massachusetts student receives the support they need to achieve early reading skills.”
This opportunity was re-opened to all Massachusetts public schools and districts, with priority given to those demonstrating a clear need for English language arts/literacy support and a commitment to evidence-based early literacy practices. School districts were required to demonstrate that they use a high-quality early literacy model—which tutoring complements by providing additional, targeted support for students.
“The House provided this funding because we recognize the importance of supporting schools with strong early literacy instruction, ensuring that proven tools reach students who need them most,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “This investment reflects the House’s commitment to the evidence-based early literacy legislation that we passed earlier this session, which is designed to give every child a strong start. This vital funding will help schools across the Commonwealth turn early literacy priorities into real results for students.”
“Nothing is more fundamental to a child’s future than learning to read, and that responsibility rests with all of us,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “My colleagues in the Senate and I made early literacy a priority because early support can change the trajectory of a child’s education. By investing in proven, high-dosage tutoring, we are meeting students where they are, strengthening foundational reading skills, and giving every child in Massachusetts the opportunity to succeed. I applaud Governor Healey and her administration for making this a priority, and thank every educator who will bring these programs to life in classrooms across the state.”
In addition to this tutoring initiative, the administration has invested in literacy through Literacy Launch: Reading Success from Age 3 through Grade 3.The initiative provides educator training, including Literacy Launch Institutes and curriculum support, and district grants. Funding support includes the Partnership for Reading Success – Massachusetts (PRISM) grants. In September, the state announced more than $12 million in PRISM I continuation grants to 15 districts, and since then, the state has given $9.5 million in PRISM II grants to 30 districts and an educational collaborative. In August, the administration announced $3.3 million in PRISM III grants to 25 school districts and collaboratives for selecting and implementing high-quality materials. In September, federal funds were used to provide approximately $1.6 million in PRISM III continuation grants to 15 districts and collaboratives.
“I’d like to thank the Speaker for his commitment to early literacy and for expanding this funding across the Commonwealth,” said Assistant Majority Leader Representative Alice Peisch (D–Wellesley). “Evidence-based literacy instruction is essential to student success, and this program plays a vital role. The House has long supported the high-dosage early literacy program, and I believe expanding access to evidence-based resources is critical to ensuring early readers’ success.”
“High-dosage tutoring is one of many proven tools we are implementing in Massachusetts, along with tremendous investments in early education and childcare, to help young students succeed by ensuring they learn to read,” said State Senator Jason Lewis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “Thank you to the Healey administration for bringing free, high-dosage early literacy tutoring to 84 new schools, in addition to the 272 schools already offering it, to support our children from the start and set them up for future success down the line.”
"Supporting early literacy remains a top priority for the House,” said Representative Ken Gordon, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “This investment in high-dosage early literacy will ensure students have access to evidence-based reading support at a critical stage of their development, and I am grateful to the Administration for administering these funds."
The 84 additional schools that will receive high-dosage, early literacy tutoring are in the following districts:
- Acushnet Public Schools
- Agawam Public Schools
- Barnstable Public Schools
- Beverly Public Schools
- Bi-County Collaborative
- Blackstone Millville Regional School District
- Bridge Boston Charter School
- Clinton Public Schools
- Codman Academy Charter Public School (in Boston)
- Collegiate Charter School of Lowell
- CREST Collaborative
- East Bridgewater Public Schools
- Fitchburg Public Schools
- Foxborough Regional Charter School
- Franklin Public Schools
- Gardner Public Schools
- Greater Commonwealth Virtual School
- Greenfield Public Schools
- Haverhill Public Schools
- Holbrook Public Schools
- Holyoke Community Charter School
- Lee Public Schools
- Leicester Public Schools
- Ludlow Public Schools
- Lunenburg Public Schools
- Methuen Public Schools
- Millis Public Schools
- Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School of Excellence (in Springfield)
- Neighborhood House Charter School (in Boston)
- Old Sturbridge Academy Charter Public School
- Oxford Public Schools
- Petersham Center School
- Pittsfield Public Schools
- Prospect Hill Academy Charter School (in Cambridge)
- Rockland Public Schools
- Somerville Public Schools
- Southbridge Public Schools
- Southern Berkshire Regional School District
- Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District
- Tyngsborough Public Schools
- Westfield Public Schools
- Winchester Public Schools
- Worcester Cultural Academy Charter Public School
- Wrentham Public Schools
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